Archive for the 'Pastors' Category
Finding Your Future as a Pastor: 4 Resolutions Every Pastor Should Make
When a pastor compares himself to another pastor, it usually leads to discontentment. When a pastor has unrealistic expectations about his future, it may lead to extreme disappointment.
Finding your future as a pastor can be difficult. When you talk about it with others, it can place you in a vulnerable place. This is one reason we are reluctant to talk about the future, but it can also be because we fear others will misunderstand us.
Sooner or later, a pastor has to come to these four resolutions in order to find his way to the future.
Resolution #1: God will take care of your future.
We need to do all we can to be available to God and always do what is necessary to improve ourselves. But above all, through it all and after it all, we have to know God will take care of our future.
He has the power to put us down and He has the power to lift us up. He has the power to place us where He desires us to serve.
The bottom line pastor, is this: God will take care of your future.
Resolution #2: Be aware of who you really are.
A lack of self-awareness will lead you to major problems. Many pastors do not have an accurate picture of who they really are as a person and a leader.
Be aware of your strengths. What are they? Not simply how you see them, but the way others see them. Be aware of your weaknesses, not only from your own perspective, but also from the way others see you.
A geographical change that a job or calling may bring does not change what your strengths and weaknesses may be in your life and leadership.
Resolution #3: Know your God-given gifts.
God has given you gifts to use and develop to help you build up the body of Christ. These God-given gifts do not need to be ignored, but embraced fully. However, just because we love God and want to serve Him passionately does not mean we are gifted to do everything.
What are your spiritual gifts? Are you developing these gifts? Are you using these gifts to build up the body of Christ?
Your future is about how you can best be used by God with the gifts you have in order to make the greatest impact for the Lord.
Resolution #4: Go where God can use you in the greatest way.
Wherever you are and wherever you may go, make sure you find the place in your future where God can use you in the greatest way. Is He doing it where you are? Can He do it where you are? In order to be used of God in the greatest manner, you must embrace each of these questions.
Here is what I know: If God is not using you in the highest manner where you are, He may not entrust you with another place of ministry. This is why we must learn to be comfortable in our own skin. We must also realize that God may not raise us to do anything different or give us an opportunity for ministry in the way we desire.
Pastor, I know God wants to use you. Pursue Him personally. Place your “yes” on the table to God. Leave to do whatever He may call you to do. Stay if His will is for you to minister where you are long-term.
Pastor, leave it all in the hands of God. He has you covered.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
5 Ways You Can Improve Your Life by Getting Up Earlier Each Morning
I have been an early riser for at least the past three decades of my life. To this very day, I still set three alarms each evening to ensure I wake up when I desire. Why is this important?
I believe there are five ways your life can improve by getting up earlier each morning.
1. You gain time in your day.
You may believe this is a “duh” point and should go without saying, but how often do you hear people give the never-ending excuse of, “I don’t have time”? When you ask them what time they get up in the morning, they usually do not answer with clarity or simply state a later time in the morning.
Therefore, you gain time in your day when you get up earlier each morning. I do not believe I could do what I am given the privilege to do in life if I did not get up early each morning.
Just imagine what your morning would be like if you were to get up even just one hour earlier than you do right now. You might be able to work some things into your schedule you have often wanted to do like read more, exercise regularly, or have some time for yourself.
2. You gain time for yourself.
Did you know that the earlier you get up in the morning, the more time you gain for yourself? Private time is needed in each of our lives. We need space to be alone and time to think and to meditate.
Gaining time for yourself pays many dividends for your life, family, business, and ministry. Do not minimize the reality of needing what some call, “me time.” I do not like this term, but each of us needs time by ourselves and more time when we are not disturbed or distracted by others.
3. You gain time with God.
Oftentimes, people claim that their personal time with God is inconsistent because of the demands of life. I learned many years ago, when you rise early, most people are still asleep. But I also learned regardless of how early you get up, God is already up and ready to meet with you personally.
Even as Jesus rose before dawn to spend time with the Father, we need private time with the Father. We need our own Gethsemane in our home, apartment, or town where we can escape and talk to God about life and let God talk to us through the reading of His Word. When you get up earlier each day, you gain time with God.
4. You gain productivity.
When you rise earlier each day and use this time wisely, you can gain productivity in your life. Everyone wants to be more productive and yield greater results. When you are undisturbed and more focused, you gain the potential to be much more productive in your life.
Again, when I reflect upon this personally, I realize that before most of my staff team enters the doors at our church daily, I have been up five hours already. Most of these days have already been filled with great productivity. Why? My time is focused and free of distractions.
When you rise earlier each day, you increase the potential to be much more productive in your life.
5. You gain the respect of others.
People do not want to follow unfocused, distracted, shoot-from-the-hip, unproductive leaders. Disorder in organizations often follows the disorder of a leader’s life. A disorderly and unproductive team is most often the result of a disorderly and unproductive leader. Therefore, disrespect occurs. Soon, we witness that slothfulness rules, mediocrity is applauded, and excellence is eliminated.
Conversely, just think what can happen when you rise earlier each morning, gaining time in each day, including time for yourself, time for God, and time for greater productivity to occur! Here is what happens: You gain the respect of others.
Some people will never understand you when you are together and productive, but they will always respect you. People want to follow people they respect. People respect those who bring order into all situations and lead with a calm confidence that all will be well.
I have found this: When you rise earlier each day, your credibility as a leader grows. Rising earlier each morning seems to gain the respect of others.
Try rising earlier this week and see what happens each day in this week, and in your future. I really believe when you try it, you will like it.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.