A few months ago, it hit me out of nowhere that, as of June 2008, I’d now been doing full-time ministry for 20 years. When I was in college, I didn’t want to do this for even one day. In June 1988 I agreed to be a summer student pastor for my roommate’s dad at a little Baptist church in a little town called Pemberton, NJ. I loved ministry so much I just kept on doing it and now, here I am 20 years later still doing it and still loving it.
In 20 years you learn a few things along the way. So I thought over the next few blog posts I would share some of the top things (not in any particular order) that God has taught me over the last 20 years of ministry.
Lesson #1 – The Longer I’m In Ministry The More I Realize How Much I Still Have To Learn.
When I was a student pastor in my 20’s there were times that I arrogantly thought I knew a whole lot more then I actually did. I remember at times sitting in meetings with guys in there 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s and thinking how clueless they were and that there was nothing I could learn from them.
Now there are moments when I sit in rooms with guys who are in there 20’s who look at me like I’m clueless and I have to laugh because they’re right, I do feel clueless at times. 20 years of ministry has this amazing way of wrecking you and bringing you to your knees. I have come to the place where I know that I am way beyond myself. The moment that you think you’ve arrived you’re in trouble.
So, who am I learning from these days?
I’m learning a ton from the guys (and gals) on my staff and our church planters who are in the 20’s and early 30’s. These guys have fresh ideas and a ton of energy. Their enthusiasm and reckless abandon for ministry is contagious. I schedule these people on my calendar every week just to be around them. I just spent a couple of hours with two of the sharpest young leaders I know, Tim Grandstaff and Paul Richardson. Thursday morning, I’m spending a couple of hours with Gary Lamb and Mike Lukaszewski. These guys challenge me to think outside the box and to be creative about reaching unchurched people.
I love learning from the guys in ministry who are around my age. Whenever I can get time with some of my closest friends in ministry Mike Linch, , Tommy Politz, Shawn Lovejoy, and Matt Willmington, I grab it up in minute. These guys have children around the same age as mine, they pastor at churches of similar sizes, and we deal with some of the same issues of life. I love these guys.
I get a ton from the guys who are little bit older then me. God has given me some really cool relationships with guys who are ahead of me in ministry. Throughout the year, I schedule time to meet with guys like Andy Stanley, Bob Roberts, and Johnny Hunt. I cannot tell you how much I’ve learned from these men over years. I’ve learned so much about leadership, family, communicating, and balance from Andy. I’ve learned about church planting and “how to impact the world,” from Bob Roberts, and I’ve learned about pastoring a church and loving people from Johnny Hunt. I meet with a lot guys in this age range, but these guys have truly invested in my life over the last few years.
Then I meet with guys who are much older then I am. I miss my friend Jerry Falwell. I went to Liberty in the 80’s and then worked for him in the 90’s. I learned vision from him. I also learned how to handle discouragement and personal attacks from him. There was never a time that he was too busy to talk to me or call me back. Many people don’t know this, but Jerry Falwell was a phenomenal pastor. The man not only remembered your name, but he made you feel like you could conquer the world. I learned a ton from this man. Another guy that I talk to from time to time is my first pastor in ministry, John Hibbard. When you’ve been in ministry for over 50 years, you’ve got a great marriage, and you’ve raised three great kids, you have few things to share with people. Over the years, I’ve learned resilience from him. I have several other men that fall onto this list that I continue to meet with and learn from: Doug Randlett, Dave Adams, my father-in-law Max Mills, and Harold Willmington. I admire and appreciate these men.
I’m reading blogs and learning from guys out there who are getting it done. I’m reading more books right now then I ever have before. I’m listening to podcasts. When I can, I visit other churches. I want God to stretch me so He can use me in greater ways.
Finally, I’m learning from my wife and my children. My wife Amy has taught me so much about walking with God. She is teaching me how to be a better leader and encourager. I can’t tell you how many times she has kept me from making a mistake in ministry. I love this woman and wouldn’t still be doing what I do if it weren’t for her. I’m learning so much from my sons, Taylor and Zachary. These guys challenge me everyday to be a better father and a better man.
There are so many other people that I could list that I’m currently learning from (like my mom and my brothers, and other staff members) but I’m afraid I would leave people off the list. The point is this; I don’t ever want to stop learning to be better at what God’s called me to do. I hope when I’m in my 60’s and 70’s I still have young guys and older guys investing in my life. I don’t ever want to feel like I’ve arrived. So, lesson # 1 - The Longer I’m In Ministry The More I Realize How Much I Still Have To Learn.
More to come later…
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