It's Not Getting Any Easier

My dear friend Don McLaughlin authors a post sub-titled: The Rhythm of Ministry. His wit and insight is always a blessing to me. As I was reading a recent post from Don's blog I began to consider the reality that ministry is not getting any easier. One would think that after nearly 35 years of ministry in local churches you would have learned a few "tricks" of the trade or would have "been there before" and that these expereinces would make the daily experiences of pastoring somewhat easier. In the words of my daughter Marci, "Not!" I think this is true for a number of reasons.

The demands upon the modern pastor are great. Preaching/teaching each week more hours than the typical college professor and visiting  for ministry/outreach more hours than the average salesman the pastors schedule is constantly filled. 

The modern pastor is often expected to be a ready resource of Biblical knowledge, often being asked questions of obscure Biblical content and expected to not only site chapter and verse but to give ample interpretation without any research. While the pastor absolutely should have a deep familiarity with God's Word he is still simply a student of that Word.

The modern pastor is often expected to attend every socail function of the church, make every ministry visit on behalf of the church, meet every need in the lives of the members and make himself available to resolve every crisis faced by his people.

The modern pastor is expected to be the model leader who not only never misinterprets the direction of God, he is also expect to never make a mistake in guiding his flock to fulfill the will of God.

The added pressure of an economy in recession and the ever increasing need to accomplish more with less.

I could go on but you get the idea. 

One of the the things I love about pastoral ministry is that no two days are alike. Ministry is not a theoretical process whereby we attempt to try out academic theory in the real world. Pastoral ministry is every day a practical process of attempting to impact individual people with the message of the Gospel and the abundant life offered by Jesus. Given all of the challenges the modern pastor faces I am called me to be one.

Attempting to Connect the Dots...

Wayne

Attitude or Ability

I have been musing the past several days on the question, "Which is more important attitude or ability?' I have concluded once again that that a good attitude is more important that good ability. Ability and skill can be taught to a person that has a good positive attitude. While the person with a poor attitude cannot be taught anything.

A good attitude will carry you through the daily challenges each of us face. Life is filled with challenges. the question is not will you face challenges but when will the challenges come. When we have the right attitude we will face these challenges as opportunities.

A person with a good attitude is more enjoyable to be around. They infuse in their daily relationships an optimism and "can do" spirit that is contagious and makes life a joy rather than a task.

A person with a good attitude brings out the best in others. They are a source of encouragement and hope. They share the spirit of optimism that permeates their life with those they labor beside.

A person with a good attitude exhibits their faith in the Lord Jesus. Whatever you may face today Jesus is still Lord. He will walk you through to the other side.

A person with a good attitude accomplishes more than a person with a poor attitude. Those who are positive begin the work and see it through to its conclusion. The challenges any task may bring do not deter them from accomplishing their goal.

A person is responsible for their own attitude. Having a positive attitude is a choice each of us make each day. we cannot blame circumstance, other people or lack of resources on our poor attitude. We decide the spirit with which we approach our day and our life. The Bible reminds us "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

One of the great character traits any individual can possess is a good attitude. Choose to have one today.

Attempting to Connect the Dots...


Wayne