Dave Bruskas » Church Preaching Church Leadership Church Planting Calling

After you’ve sensed a calling to pastoral ministry, confirmed your calling, and checked your motives, how do you start leading people as a new pastor? Paul has some good advice for you. This is the fifth installment in an 8-part series called Preparing to Lead.

Welcome to pastoral ministry, rookie! You have been called by Jesus for this task and have been confirmed by those already serving. Congratulations. And now that this season has arrived, you find yourself wondering, “Why should the people I serve follow me?”

Chances are good they are asking the very same question. So the Apostle Paul’s counsel to young Pastor Timothy is very helpful:

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. (1 Tim. 4:12–14)

Be an example

Most new pastors make the mistake of leading with vision. But remember, neither your experience nor your expertise are compelling. People want to know who you are before they place trust in what you know.

Now that this season has arrived, you may find yourself wondering, “Why should the people I serve follow me?”

Purity that comes from knowing and obeying Jesus is very powerful and captivating at any age. The old adage is true in this instance: you lead by example. You lead others as a man who thinks, feels, speaks, and acts like Jesus. They will notice. And they will follow you as you follow him.

Be a Bible man

Paul’s direction to Timothy is timeless. His primary role as a leader is to be a man devoted to the ministry of the Word. You would do well to do the same. Eat, drink, sleep, and breathe the Bible. And when you talk to those you shepherd, leak the Bible.

People want to know who you are before they place trust in what you know.

People are in desperate need of transformation. The gospel radically shapes lives in the hands of the Holy Spirit. Avoid sharing from your shallow well of personal experience or common-sense wisdom. Give them the gospel. They will grow, and so will you.

Make progress toward the goal

According to Paul, Timothy doesn’t have to be perfect. He needs to make progress. Perfectionism is poison to a pastor. It makes him defensive, delusional, and deceptive. But show those you serve your growth, and they will take note.

Eat, drink, sleep, and breathe the Bible.

This means it is okay to for you to make mistakes, admit weaknesses, and repent of sin. As a young pastor, I had an older gentleman approach me right after I had just finished preaching. As I braced for his “constructive” criticism, he said, “Young man, someday you are going to grow up into a real preacher!”

I held my insecurity in check long enough to respond, “If you would have heard me last week, you wouldn’t be so sure.” We all have to grow up into real pastors. It is a process that takes years and years. And people will be patient as long as they see us making progress.

 

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