Archive for the 'Pastors' Category
The Most Important Decision a Pastor Can Make Each Day
Every pastor I know is faced with numerous decisions every day. Some of those decisions can impact people greatly. While there are a plethora of decisions a pastor can make daily, what is the most important?
The Most Important Decision
The most important decision a pastor can make daily is to begin his day with God. When we begin our day with God, it changes the way we see things the rest of the day. It changes our attitude and our actions. It helps us navigate through the challenges of life and ministry.
3 Actions to Take Daily
While some who are reading this have yawned already, I continue to stand amazed at how many pastors do not begin their day with God. Their inconsistency in this discipline is their consistency.
No wonder pulpits are vacant of anointed men of God, the people in the pews are yearning for a Word from God, and the church is lacking the fire of God. As pastors, we must rekindle or fan into flame the gift of God that is in us according to 2 Timothy 1:6.
I want to highlight three actions that will fan the flame of God in you in your time with Him daily:
Action #1: Read the Bible daily in a systematic way.
Pastor, you need to have a plan to read God’s Word daily. When you are with a group of pastors, ask them: What is your daily plan of reading the Scripture? You might learn a new approach.
Personally, I believe a pastor should read through God’s Word annually or at least consistently many times during a decade of ministry. Unquestionably, reading through the Bible at least once each year is one of the most powerful disciplines I have experienced in my spiritual life.
Action #2: Establish a plan to pray daily.
If you do not have a plan to pray, you will not pray consistently. You will be all over the place in your praying, even though your intentions are good.
I use my iPad to help me establish an ongoing plan to pray daily. This helps me stay on target in my prayer and permits me the needed flexibility to ensure the ongoing plan is relevant and up to date.
Whatever your plan to pray is, just have one. Stop and take the time to prepare a plan. Then, under God’s leadership, follow it.
Action #3: Periodically, fast and pray.
I cannot dictate nor advise anyone on how often or how many days a year they should fast and pray. This is not my decision, but God’s.
What I do know is the absolute great value it brings in life to fast and pray. I think the power of God awaits the man of God who is willing to spend time fasting and praying. There is power in the secret place.
Additionally, a pastor should lead his fellowship to periodically have a day or days of fasting and praying. Cross Church just observed one of these days this past Sunday night through Monday. I am telling you, there is power in a church that prays and fasts together.
Everything Begins With the Most Important Decision
Everything begins with the most important decision. Reading the Bible in a systematic way, establishing a plan to pray daily, and periodically fasting and praying, all begin with the most important decision a pastor can make daily: Beginning his day with God.
Pastor, do not minimize this decision in your life. It is the most important decision you make daily. Do it with conviction.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Deepening Your Walk, Broadening Your Influence
Every pastor wants to make a significant impact with his life and through his ministry. This passion and vision is true regardless of the size of the ministry you lead today.
When I was younger, I wanted to make a difference in a major way. I still do today. When I was in a smaller church, I wanted to have an impactful ministry. I still do today.
How do we do it?
Deepen Your Walk
Pastor, if you want to have a broad influence in your life and ministry, it all begins by deepening your walk with God daily. I am firmly convinced that God’s pathway to impact begins with a growing depth in your personal walk with God. There are no shortcuts!
The Bible reminds us in James 4:10,
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Additionally, we read in Psalm 75:6-7,
For promotion does not come from the east, west, nor south; God is the judge. He puts down one and sets up another.
While there is a factor that God alone determines, the value of our unqualified pursuit of the Lord Himself is undeniable. And while we cannot control what God may choose to do with us sovereignly, we can pursue our relationship and fellowship with Him personally.
Therefore, how can a pastor deepen his walk with God?
- Be consistent in a daily time with God, filling your mind with God’s Word, growing in your personal prayer life, and pursuing His face relentlessly.
- Pursue holiness, putting aside thoughts, choices, and habits that distract you from Christ rather than lead you to Him. Again, pursue His face relentlessly.
- Trust the Lord alone for your future. He knows what is best for you, even when you do not. Refuse any human manipulation or politics to gain a position or increase your influence.
As you prioritize deepening your walk with God, trust the Lord with everything else.
Broadening Your Influence
Broadening your influence is not up to you, your friends, or even your denomination. It is in the hands of God. Why?
For years, I have observed men attempt to manipulate their future in all kinds of ways. There was a day I tried to do the same. But as God has constantly moved upon me, leading me into moments of brokenness, I have learned that God alone is the one who broadens our influence.
I often tell pastors: If you want a broader influence in ministry, it all begins with deepening your walk with God daily.
Your motives determine your future, not just your vision. Your prayer life determines your future even more than your vision. Your prayer life will never surpass your commitment to daily deposit the Word of God into your life.
Pastor, when your daily walk with God results in a hot heart for God, your ego is under the Lordship of Christ. When the Holy Spirit is developing your giftedness through quality ministry experience, God may be preparing you for more in your future. All of these things together will result in God broadening your influence.
In His way and in His time, He may choose to do it for His glory.
3 Important Things to Remember
1. God determines your geography, not you. Release your future to God by dying to your desires geographically.
2. God determines your influence, not you. Surrender your life daily to His Lordship, being content wherever you are and with whatever God has you doing in your life right now.
3. God determines your future, not you. When you committed your life to Jesus Christ, you died to your own desires. When you surrendered your life to God’s calling in ministry, you declared your future was completely the Lord’s, not yours.
He alone determines whether you are in Abilene or Africa, North America or South America, or ministering nationally or internationally.
Let it go. He has you in the palm of His hand. There is no safer place to be.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.