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MINISTERING TO YOUR FLOCK: "LOVE THEM" |
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MINISTERING
TO YOUR FLOCK As strange as it may seem the first quality is that of being a good listener. Unfortunately most of us are really poor listeners. Of course, we would never admit that out loud. The truth is when someone is talking to us we are formulating our answer. We are trying to solve the problem or have that word of advice that will help them. But most of the time our words are useless because we never took time to listen to the problem. Even if you understand all the words that I use does not mean you understand the intent or use of the words. Some time you should try listening to someone and then repeat back to them what you think you heard them say. See if you are any where close to what that person was actually saying. Expectations. As a Church Minister do those who are following you know what you really expect from them? I suppose we could even ask the Pastor if he knows what he expects from himself and others. All too often the expectations are vaguely implied but not clearly stated. Trust. Trust is earned and it cannot be demanded. Do those you are trying to minister to trust you? Do you trust them to accomplish the given tasks? As a Pastor people expect honestly and fair treatment. Abuse either and you are not a good leader. It takes a long time to regain trust once it is broken. Guidelines. Everyone needs guidelines. We have to know within what boundaries we are to accomplish the task. I have worked for churches who sat me down at an office and gave me a brief description of the work that needed to be done. I was pretty much on my own to discover how to accomplish the task, what resources were available for me, and if anyone else would be helping. The number one complaint in most church members and workers is that they do not know what was expected of them. Vision. A Minister must have vision. He needs to know where he is going. He must see the big picture. Church folks like to know that the leader actually knows where he is going. They want to be assured that he knows the goal. Passion. A Minister needs to be passionate about the task. He needs to be a positive influence. He will then look for the positive characteristic in those following and encourage them to develop their skills. Care. A really good minister cares about his members. He looks out for them. If something goes wrong the minister steps up and defends. He does not pass the blame. He pays attention to the followers and cares if someone is hurting. He is there to assist or answer questions or whatever is needed. He is not afraid to help others become as successful as he is or even more successful.  Dear Minister/Pastor/Rev./Bishop/Elder/
Deacon If Peter and Paul were here, they would scold you because you wish right off to be as accomplished
as they. Crawling is something, even if one is unable to walk. Do your best. If you cannot preach an hour,
then preach half an hour or a quarter of an hour. Do not try to imitate other people. Center on the shortest and
simplest points, which are the very heart of the matter, and leave the rest to God. Look solely to his honor and not
to applause. Pray that God will give you a mouth and to your audience ears. I can tell you preaching is not a work of man. Although I am old [he was forty-eight] and experienced, I am afraid every time I have to preach. You will most certainly find out three things: first, you will have prepared your sermon as diligently as you know how, and it will slip through your fingers like water; second, you may abandon your outline and God will give you grace. You will preach your very best. The audience will be pleased, but you won’t. And thirdly, when you have been unable in advance to pull anything together, you will preach acceptably both to your hearers and to yourself. So pray to God and leave all the rest to Him.” (Here I Stand, Bainton, 273-274)... Martin Luther |
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