HOME | CONTRIBUTE A STORY! | ABOUT MMI | CATEGORIES OF INTEREST | CONTACT ME

pastor ministry

The Stages of a Pastor’s Ministry

Orginally published on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 6:31 AM
by Todd Rhoades

Henry Webb has an insightful new article over at Lifeway.com.  According to Henry, there are at least four stages that you can expect to journey through as a pastor or church staff member.  Here’s some of what Henry has to say…

As a pastor, God is leading you on a journey through stages of ministry. From thousands of conversations with pastors through the years, my co-workers and I have identified the following four stages that can provide helpful understanding and guidance throughout your life as a pastor. As you travel the road with our Lord, you will not experience the stages as neatly separated but as overlapping phases.

You are a pastor because God has called you to that role. The tendency is to focus only on your initial call to ministry. However, God guides you to renew that calling in fresh ways throughout your ministry. The journey is not easy. The path includes educational challenges, major concerns, significant personal issues, and dangers to navigate along the way. God wants you to stay on course. In addition to the presence of His Spirit, He provides you different people as sources of help as you move through the stages.

1. Foundation Stage

The foundation stage focuses on responding to God?s call and becoming oriented to pastoral ministry. For some the call to ?the ministry? may come as early as the teen years. For others it comes later in life. Laying an adequate foundation for a lifetime of ministry may take five years or twenty. Look for God to send you encouragers/teachers like Barnabas as a source of help during this crucial stage.

A base for a long ministry requires completing as much formal education as possible. The major concern is to get off to a good start. This includes the personal issues of laying a foundation for spiritual, marital, and family health. Watch out for career-ending mistakes and attacks.

2. Maturing Stage

The maturing stage focuses on developing your pastoral ministry skills to accomplish God?s work. God?s call is now more specific to ?this ministry? that He has set before you. This period is often during the twenties through the forties. Watch for a mentor or several mentors like Paul that God will send as your source of help during this stage. Educationally, it is essential to develop the study skills to be a life-long learner.

The major concern is developing and enhancing your skills for ministry. Personally, continue to strengthen your spiritual, marital, and family health. Your primary dangers are failing to grow and not developing strong people skills.

3. Multiplying Stage

The multiplying stage focuses on executing effective ministry and reproducing yourself through others. God can use this stage from the thirties through the sixties to reaffirm and refine your calling. In this stage, God provides a support network/team like Paul?s missionary friends.

A part of the reproducing God accomplishes is your influence on others through your networks. A challenge is to participate in continuing education as a part of being a life-long learner. A significant concern during this time of life is finding a good fit where your unique ministry blossoms. This involves maintaining your spiritual maturity, launching your children, and refocusing your marriage. Be vigilant to the dangers of growing weary and dropping out.

4. Legacy Stage

The legacy stage is your opportunity to leave a spiritual legacy by finishing well and investing in others. This stage may start in the fifties and can continue beyond retirement until death. God?s call to invest in a spiritual legacy is a gift from Him. Be alert for prot駩s like Timothy.

Training others will influence future generations. This means you will be able to finish strong with continued fruitfulness, peace, and joy. Rather than finishing tired, bitter, and alone, continue to walk close to God, celebrate your marriage, and enjoy your grandchildren.

Remember that God alone determines if you are navigating the journey with effectiveness. Thus, ultimately you are not looking for the approval and applause of the congregation or your peers. Rather you are looking for the words of your Master: ?Well done, good and faithful servant.? Enjoy the journey.

[You can read the whole article at Lifeway.com now]

FOR DISCUSSION:  What stage are you in?  Do you find Henry's stages to be true in your ministry journey?  Which stage has been the most enjoyable for you?  How about the most frustrating?  Let's discuss this!


This post has been viewed 3186 times so far.


 TRACKBACKS: (0) There are 11 Comments:

  • Posted by

    Excellent and insightful article.  I’m somewhere in the multiplying/legacy stages.  The author is correct in pointing out that stages overlap.  His danger warnings are also very appropriate.

    An excellent overview that lends understanding necessary for the long haul. 

    Thanks for blessing us with the article today.

  • Posted by

    I find that I am in between stages two and three and I am finding that sometimes defining who and what I am is the hardest thing. I know that as I look around at others who have been around for awhile it is easy to get discouraged. I know that I am in the race for the longhaul but I find the hardest part is not getting overcome with the feelings that you are not worthy of doing this or someone else can do this alot better than I. The fear of failure to God, your Sr Pastor and your congregation seems to be a worry that is hard to get over.
    Sr. Pastors please understand us younger associate pastors need Fathers more than councilors. Please take the time to help develope your staff so they can be there when you need them.
    Bible colleges do not teach you everything you need to know how to deal with the feelings of not being competent to handle the job. We need to get our paul-timothy relationships together and be encouraged by our mentors so we can reach the other levels.

  • Posted by

    As always, good thought and content posted here. 

    I’ve found that the stages not just overlap, but occur intermitantly through your whole ministry.  I suppose you can only realize that the further into ministry you go and have the luxury of looking back.

    I somewhat echo Stan’s comments.  Fears of inadequacy in the more “experienced” years of my life and knowing that I’m and “expendible” product to a Sr. Pastor when a “new thing” comes along.  I’m not sure where that all fits in here, but it’s there none-the-less.  Maybe it’s the expendible stage.  The stage when you’re not anywhere near old enough to retire but not young enough to start again.  It’s the stage of your ministry when having enough experience to be a real strength to a church staff (or pastor) isn’t enough.  Agreed, it’s important to be a life long learner in EVERY stage of ministry.  We must remain relevant so we may reach a changing world, but it’s really awkward to feel that you have to prove it just to keep your job.

  • Posted by

    I like the stage that Paul talks about: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 Beware of being a hireling that is paid to cater to “itching ears”.

    Also consider:

    Matthew 23

    1: Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
    2: Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
    3: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
    4: For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
    5: But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
    6: And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
    7: And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
    8: But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
    9: And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
    10: Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
    11: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
    12: And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
    13: But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
    14: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
    15: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
    16: Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
    17: Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
    18: And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
    19: Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
    20: Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
    21: And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
    22: And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
    23: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
    24: Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
    25: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
    26: Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
    27: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
    28: Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
    29: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
    30: And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
    31: Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
    32: Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
    33: Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
    34: Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
    35: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
    36: Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
    37: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
    38: Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
    39: For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

    In addition remember what Jesus said about false shepherds teaching for commandments the doctrines of men.

    Also consider:

    Luke 20

    “1”: And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

    “2”: And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

    “3”: And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

    “4”: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

    “5”: And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

    “6”: But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

    “7”: And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

    “8”: And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

    “9”: Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

    “10”: And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

    “11”: And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

    “12”: And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.

    “13”: Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

    “14”: But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.

    “15”: So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?

    “16”: He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

    “17”: And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

    “18”: Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

    “19”: And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

    “20”: And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

    “21”: And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

    “22”: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

    “23”: But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

    “24”: Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s.

    “25”: And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.

    “26”: And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

    “27”: Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

    “28”: Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

    “29”: There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

    “30”: And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

    “31”: And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

    “32”: Last of all the woman died also.

    “33”: Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

    “34”: And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

    “35”: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

    “36”: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

    “37”: Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

    “38”: For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

    “39”: Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

    “40”: And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

    “41”: And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?

    “42”: And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

    “43”: Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

    “44”: David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

    “45”: Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

    “46”: Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

    “47”: Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

  • Posted by bernie dehler

    Looks too compartmentalized to me.  I think we should be making more disciples, always learning, etc. throughout our life.  We don’t have time to consider legacy-- that’s just the fruit (the consequences of our actions).  We should do things because God calls us to, not for our ego (legacy).

    But then again, I’m starting out, so maybe I’m just naive…

    I’m still reading Brother Andrew’s book, “Light Force”.  He’s an old man, but definitely on the move, and on the edge, for God.  What a great role-model!  Book info: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0800718720/qid=1111448880/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-5736630-7093557?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

    ...Bernie
    http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247

  • Posted by

    I am not a Pastor, I am sheep in need of a godly leader, please pastors be humble and gentle and men of integrity, With charactor. Doing whats right at home as well as at church. Don’t be overly critical of those who serve God with all of there hearts. Don’t be overly harsh, Don’t show favortism to the rich, the influencial and those that are new to your church and disreguard the faithful and committed just because they have been members for a while.  Don’t be so obsorbed in the the building and appearances and outward things, and forget the poor and needy and those who truly have needs.  Don’t build your own kingdom.  Quit being swayed by and tossed and turned by mens oppinions, and being guided by all these books that are available now, that turns our heart away from God’s Word and tickles our ears. Please don’t preach about yourself and stories. But Preach the Truth from God’s Word. Please don’t use the pulpit to manipulate the sheep, or use it in a cowardly way to rebuke some one instead of speaking to them direcly. Please remember Pastors that this is a calling from God and not a self call, and if you are called by God, the qualifications are very strict. And God says that those who teach will be judged more strickly.  Remember you are messing with peoples minds and spirits and souls.
    I thank the pastors that are doing whats right, but grievous over those that are destroying the sheep.
    Please pray that I will forgive this pastor that has hurt me, to find a church where I can be ministered to, where I can move on and get past his emotional abuse and grow in the Lord, and serve, to experience God’s continued love and grace.

  • Posted by

    From a shepherd to a sheep.  Please don’t be over critical of your Pastor.  Understand that he is human and can do wrong.  Your Pastor can’t be all things to all people.  Why would you not want the Pastor to tell stories?  I hope you want a Pastor that would share his heart with you, and tell you stories that help you relate the word to your life. 
    I don’t know the situation, and I believe the Pastor has wronged you in some way.  I just want you to ask yourself, “Have I put unrealistic expectations on Him? and Am I giving him the liberty to do ministry the way God has called him to, not the way I want Him to?” If the answer is no I am not placing unrealistic expectations on Him, and Yes I am giving him the liberty to do ministry the way God has called him to, then pick up your sandals shake the dust off them and head down the road.  Avoid smearing his name, because this is still God’s man.  He just needs some tunning up.
    Just from the tone of your response, I think you may have just had your feelings hurt.  I hope you would not leave a church because your feelings are hurt.
    Please understand I am sympathetic to your situation, and it is hard to know what is actually going on just from what little you wrote.  If all you say is true, then on behalf of all Shepherds I am sorry you were wronged, and I am praying for your recovery.

    In Christ.

  • Posted by

    Dear fellow sheep & dear fellow shepherds:

    What this sheep says about strict standards for shepherds deserves a ready “Amen”. Most of us sheep will agree with you, as most of us shepherds will. Not to be ignored, however, there is a fairly strict test for sheep ...by sheep, we mean people who (a)claim that Jesus is Lord, and (b)actually live in acknowledgement that He is now--and from now on--in charge. “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and follow me.” A faithful shepherd reminds sheep of that, even as he tends to the cuts and scrapes of the sheep. There’s more Scripture written about our calling as the people of God, and children of light than there is written about the pastor’s call. None of us is off the hook so far as “whoever is called to experience God’s forgiveness is called to forgive.” There are 3 books written that we identify as “pastoral letters”, but most the New Testament and Old Testament is concerned about how we sheep stay on track, in line with His voice / calling. Please ask: Is it true, what’s said here, about the saints calling being an even bigger item in the Bible than the shepherd’s calling? And if so, how must that affect the way you and I pray for shepherd-and-sheep relations?

  • Posted by

    I am a Timothy in search of a Paul.  Receiving the call later in life has brought numerous changes to my life.  It is so easy to want to give up.  However, I no longer can imagine doing anything else but working for God.  How do we navigate through the waters of discouragement?  It is not easy to find a Paul who is willing to help us grow.

  • Posted by

    Shepherds are sheep, too. I appreciated Jade’s and Gianni’s responses to ‘A Sheep.’ Having gone through a tough period with a previous pastor, I can sympathize with sheep. But as Jade points out, it is difficult to ascertain responsibility with Sheep’s letter. But that’s ok, for as Gianni points out, there are sheep responsibilities. Now I don’t want to get into who has the greater responsibilities, sheep or shepherd. What is important to remember as shepherds is that we do affect our sheep tremendously. Our words, our actions impact our flock. Should sheep rememember that shepherds are sheep, too? Certainly. But as leaders, in kingdom perspective, makes us the least in the body, servants to all. We need to be open to the feedback we receive. Prayerfully accept the feedback that fits, and discard the others.
    This blog started out on the stages of pastoral ministry. The author stated that “The multiplying stage focuses on executing effective ministry and reproducing yourself through others. God can use this stage from the thirties through the sixties to reaffirm and refine your calling. In this stage, God provides a support network/team like Paul’s missionary friends.” If we are not mature, we will be multiplying ineffective servants. This is why having ongoing counselors/mentors who see your blindspots is crucial for effective ministry. We need to recognize our weaknesses and encourage our charges to use those who are strong in our weak areas as teachers - if you are not a good counselor, utilize a person who is. If you are not a good preacher, teacher, organizer, etc., utilize those who are strong in these areas.
    Well, I have said too much already. I’ll stop here, and ‘Sheep,’ I am praying for you. And my word of encouragement is to not be quick to leave your body. Be sure it is God who is calling you to leave. It is through difficulty God draws us to Him and through the body He enables us to persevere and grow. Be of good courage.
    John

  • Posted by yellow croaker

    The maturing stage focuses on developing your pastoral ministry skills to accomplish God?s work. God?s call is now more specific to ?this ministry? that He has set before you. This period is often during the twenties through the forties. Watch for a mentor or several mentors like Paul that God will send as your source of help during this stage. Educationally, it is essential to develop the study skills to be a life-long learner.

  • Page 1 of 1 pages

Post Your Comments:

Name:

Email:

Location:

URL:

Live Comment Preview:

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Please enter the word you see in the image below: