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A love for the Word, your Savior, and your calling is foundational to ministry. But what other loves should a pastor have? Today, we discuss five of them.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM PETE
It seems that a lot of success in revitalizing or replanting in the local church has to do with the people knowing you love them as you shepherd them. What are some specific things to communicate to the people to grow this affinity?
Episode Highlights:
- You cannot successfully lead a church in your own strength and power.
- Don’t have church activities to get people in your building, have them to get your people into the lives of the community.
- Those who’ve been dealt most generously with should be the most generous.
- Pastors, love the church you lead, not the one you wish you led.
- Your family is your first line of ministry.
The five loves we discuss are:
- Love of the heritage of the church
- Love of the community of the church
- Love of the members still in the church
- Love of you own family as you lead the church
- Love of God’s work regardless of recognition
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
- ChurchReplanters.com
- ChurchAnswers.com
- Replanter Assessment
- Find more resources at the Revitalize & Replant page at ThomRainer.com
Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate of existing churches while simultaneously increasing the birth rate of new churches. To learn more about what it means to become a replanting pastor or to explore resources for replanting and revitalization in your own church, visit ChurchReplanters.com.
Submit Your Question:
Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you’ll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.
I remember John McArthur saying, “The ministry is a very unglorious profession.” The vast majority of pastors will likely labor in a small church field unrecognized and often unappreciated. You have to do what you do for God because any motivation, from others, is just not gonna be there. Ppl will disappoint you.
It would be nice to be recognized, occasionally, but it’s. as McArthur said, “unglorious career.” If you are somewhere, where you’re frequently appreciated, you’re fortunate and you’re likely in the minority (when it comes to the vast total number of pastors).
You have to do what you do for God.
Hi everyone,
Great post and comments.
Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Gary
Southern NH, USA
Hi Dr Rainer,
Would it be possible to post a written transcript of this online video?
I am typically in situations where I cannot play audio, so written transcripts are typically a better option for me.
Thank you,
Gary
Southern NH, USA
Love (agape): “to pursue always, unconditionally, and despite all costs to myself the complete wellbeing of _____ (fill in the blank) simply for the prize _____ (fill in the blank) has become to me” (cf., John 3:16). What does this definition do to the list of five “loves” above?
Church pastors who will sustain success in leading congregations to full biblical growth must love: business administration (the church version thereof; i.e., try to sustain the growth of a church without it).