If you frequent my blog, surely you’ve noticed by now that I love lists. I’m a list guy. I make “to do” lists nearly everyday. When I start thinking about preaching, I often think of lists. Even blogging has become a list thing. I especially love “Top 10″ lists. Remember these?
- Top 10 Reasons I’m Excited about Heaven
- Top 10 Worst Christmas Gifts … Ever
- 10 Things I Wish My Wife would Whisper in my Ear
- 10 Ways to Put Someone to Sleep during the Sermon
- Then there were 8 Signs you are Growing Up Spiritually (Okay, so I was two short)
So I got to thinking of some other things I’d like to share and sure enough, I ended up with another “10 Things” post. So when it comes to lists, like them or not, they are here to stay on my blog.
Here are 10 Lessons I’ve Learned in Ministry…
- It’s not a job. When you begin to see it as just a job you need to get out of ministry and do something else.
- You cannot please everyone, nor can you make everyone happy. So don’t sweat it.
- Church bulletins are a necessary evil. They are a pain in the neck, but you cannot over-communicate with your congregation.
- Get out of the office and among people. You can’t sit in an office all day and do ministry.
- Sometimes you have to let people leave the church. For example, Jesus allowed the rich young ruler to walk away. Another example, the space shuttle has to lose some of its parts to make it into space.
- There’s a fine line between faith and stupidity. Knowing the difference can make all the difference.
- You can’t do everything, so don’t try.
- It’s okay to rest, relax and sometimes go hide. Jesus did.
- Seek wisdom from others. There’s some smart people out there.
- Far more important than your ministry and only second to God is your family. Don’t neglect them.
So, what are some things you’ve learned from doing what you do?
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 22 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
That’s a good list.
Trey,
Spoken by a wise wise man.
Having been a pk and then a preacher’s wife x2–I have also learned these same lessons. ministry is not what you do, it is who you are.
Peace and prayers, brother
neva
The only addition that comes to mind is:
“It’s not what you said, it’s the fact that you were there.”
Grace and peace,
Tim
Excellent thought, Tim
Good list… I’ve really learned to like #6.
AW
Goiod job Trey. I really like numbers 1 and 10.
Bobby
Trey,
You can communicate information in five or six different formats and some people are still just going to miss it. ie bulletin, announcements, letter, flyer, personal call, …
Closely related, the only way most people learn anything is through: Repetition, Repetition, Repetition.
Someone has to bury the dead.
Satan isn’t the only one trying to blow out your candle.
Sittin in a church house doesn’t make you a christian any more than sittin in a hen house makes you a chicken.
(The repetion thought was not original and this one isn’t either but I have seen it over and over)
James
Ok here ya go:
Job Title: Mommy
1.It’s not a job, it’s an honor
2.Hit your knees ‘cause you can’t do it alone
3.You can’t please everyone and your kids will let you know about it
4.You can’t over communicate – find “talk times” all day long
5.You will mess up so learn to say I’m sorry (it’s a good lesson for them, too)
6.God chose you for that child be confident in his plan
7.You can’t do everything, so don’t try. ( same as Trey)
8.Its okay to rest, relax and sometimes go hide. Jesus did. (same as Trey)
9.Seek wisdom from others. There are some smart people out there. (same as Trey)
10.At the end of the day thank God for your children and pray that he will give you another day, with new opportunities, to do it better.
James I like the “Satan isn’t the only one trying to blow out your candle.” That’s the truth.
Monica … you are so quick on your feet. AND a terrific mom and wife at that. Your kids are blessed to have you as a mom. It’s called the “Ministry of Motherhood” and you do it well. PS – I like # 10.
Neva said ministry is not what you do but who you are. I will say that in some ways I feel James and I both ministered to more people when we were not employed by a church. Anything we do as an employee is almost assumed that we have to do it because it is our job. I love being able to just plain minister to people who don’t expect it.
Mommie Smart – can I say ditto? To combine the two together, I am a Mom and a minister = a Mommaminister: that is who I am not just what I do.
Kathy
If this sounds like I share the pulpit with James, don’t think that. But also don’t think for one minute that the wife isn’t part of the package that churches hire.
Trey,
I know that in our profession it’s all about “see the people, see the people, see the people”, you are planting seeds and you never know when that seed will come back to you.
Matt
Kathy … I sure understand your feelings. People often think you’re “supposed” to do something because that’s your job. That’s one of the many struggles of ministry.
Matt … I always like it when you decide to say something. I know you often lurk in the shadows, but every time you kick in some thoughts, they are always “wise” thoughts. Thanks for sharing them with us. And as for seeds … I see them come back in kids and teens that I thought would never make it spiritually and they did come back – STRONG.
Good list Trey. All we preachers should put our heads together and see if we can come up with “100 lessons we’ve learned in Ministry” outside of the classroom.
Bob, I like that idea. I bet we could come up with 100. Don’t you thing?
AMEN!
I love #4
This list is now one of my top ten lists of all time.
Gallagher … thank bro. Can’t you just see Jesus sitting in an office for hours?
If Jesus was in an office for hours it’s probably because he was on his knees praying about the congregation.
hi. you might want to visit http://www.listography.com to share & archive your lists…seems like you might like it!