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    The Stages of a Pastor’s Ministry

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    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!

    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…

    Comments

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    1. Bob on Mon, March 21, 2005

      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.

    2. stan on Mon, March 21, 2005

      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.

    3. W.J.M. on Mon, March 21, 2005

      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.

    4. bernie dehler on Mon, March 21, 2005

      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

    5. a sheep on Tue, March 22, 2005

      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.

    6. Jade on Tue, March 22, 2005

      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.

    7. Gianni on Wed, March 23, 2005

      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?

    8. A Timothy on Sat, March 26, 2005

      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.

    9. John on Mon, March 28, 2005

      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

    10. yellow croaker on Mon, April 07, 2008

      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.

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