The call had just ended. It was a wonderful hour of conversation with the chief pastor of a flourishing metropolitan church. His next days included a sermon to prepare, a funeral, the remaining effects of acquiring a building, dozens of decisions for the church, keeping the heart as someone who has sinned, caring for the growing family, and, okay?
This guy was exhausted and exhausted.
- “Who cares about your soul?” I asked.
- He spoke kindly of his elders.
- But honestly acknowledged that none of them.
- Including himself.
- Had been able to take care of each other.
- Every elderly man had been trained in a now-defunct megachurch that focused on productivity.
- Not people.
- And digital growth.
- Not personal care.
It’s a story I hear a lot on my travels. Those who are asked to care about her receive little from her. But surprisingly, and by the grace of God, it was not my experience as a principal pastor (what, in time, was called one?Pastor Principal?).
Is there a man named Mark Prater who now runs a network called “Churches of Sovereign Graca”?[Churches of Graca Soberana]. For many years, Mark was the executive pastor of the church where I served as chief pastor.
Here are some of the things I learned from your care
CARE HAS LEGS
Prominent shepherds live a hectic and hectic life, isn’t this a criticism?In reality, it is necessary to make the biblical description of the work between the occupied, mobile and digitally connected people. But for important attention that reaches this kind of mobile goal, an initiative is needed. The initiative generates legs to make care work.
A well-directed initiative for a primary or local pastor means that caregivers know their burdens. Isn’t there anything complicated here? You can’t help but carry a burden you don’t know exists. connects the desire to serve with the need for care. Proverbs 20:5 says: “How deep are the waters of man’s heart, but intelligent man knows how to discover them. “This means that if you want to know what is swimming in the deep waters of your main shepherd’s heart, you will have to take the initiative to dump the bucket.
Mark knew how to drop the bucket. Questions like “How’s your soul?”, “Where’s the gospel for you now?”, “How’s Kimm?”Where are you tempted? I was often introduced during their spontaneous visits to my office. A constant river of affection springs from a heart of loving initiative.
The initiative includes prayer. Alumnos, do you pray for your local leader and pastors?If so, are your prayers illuminated by your current struggles because you dropped the bucket and took the initiative to ask?Mark prayed for me, constantly sending passages that he felt could encourage me or concentrate my own meditation. Each text became a reminder that I wasn’t alone, that there was someone who understood the deep waters and helped me stay afloat.
CARE HAS TEETH
Prominent pastors live in tension between two main priorities: the house and the church. John Piper calls this “pastoral polygamy” and says, “It’s something to think about. Two deep commitments in my life? Everyone wants more of my time, more my love, plus my energy and more my creativity?but each targeting the other, defending each other’s cause and caring for the other?Now, a healthy pastor like Piper understands the priority of his marriage, but uses the analogy of polygamy to identify a reality that anyone who cares about a leader must understand.
Alumno, your primary or local pastor needs your help to protect your priorities. Sabbatical rest, nights with his wife, enough vacation, exercise, special moments with his children, everything becomes his business if he really takes care of the main pastor. that these are priorities for him because he preaches them regularly. but sometimes the needs of the church prevent you from applying and preaching it. Don’t worry, God gave it to you, the elders around him, serve his soul defending his family. And if he’s the rare leader who struggles with laziness, you may also have to defend the church!
Older people, without a doubt, the best care is local care. If a leader tries to define his responsibility outside the church, he will probably be missing teeth to care for him. Is the responsibility weaker, more the appearance of responsibility than your experience?Who had the task of knowing the state of the principal pastor’s marriage?Who makes sure they take some time off and don’t fall into their mental sabbatical?Who sees if reality is called?Who asks about Internet use or parent conflicts Who represents the elderly by saying kindly?Shit!? if the man leading your congregation is wrong?
Who gives teeth to take care of him?
Each presbytery should know exactly who provides the practical care and responsibility of the main or local pastor, and live with the certainty that these people are doing their job well.
ATTENTION MEANS OPEN HANDS
Unless your church is confused or unhealthy, your primary pastor is in your role because you are only able to actually help the church. It probably has something to do with preaching, directing and grazing people. Older people, your job is to make sure it’s dedicated. to these things This will only happen if you open your hands to let it go.
Releasing someone is more than an action. This means you see your role in making it effective, is this what happens when the old ones?Do everyone consider others superior to themselves?(Philippians 2: 3) and ?? Don’t everyone have theirs in mind, but also about others?(Philippians 2: 4). When teams embrace the gospel, those who are equal subordinate themselves for the sake of mission.
Mark was exceptional in that. I often wondered if he could share the responsibilities with me. He seemed particularly happy to be able to help me be more strategic and productive. For Mark, his role wasn’t that of a trampoline, it was to be where he was. called to make others succeed.
Old man, you don’t need to be Mark Prater to make a difference in the life of your main or local pastor. He’s got enough legs, teeth and hands to start with.
Then start. I think you’ll find that even small attempts can have a significant impact.
By: Dave Harvey, © 2015 Call Me? Original: TOOL: TAKE CARE OF YOUR JEFE PASTOR
Translation: Joel Pedro Cavani Review: Yago Martins © 2016 Faithful Ministério All rights reserved. Website: original MinisterioFiel. com. br: 3 ways to care for your pastor
Authorizations: You are authorized and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format, provided that the author, his ministry and translator are no longer no longer modified and not used for commercial purposes.