Sharpen Your Skills

Photo Credit: Malte Wingen on Unsplash

Dear Preachers (there's a tidbit for the non-preacher in this blog too!),

SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS.



I haven't arrived, and you haven't either. There's work to do, for He is worthy.

Rest satisfied in yesterday's outcome (you gave it your all), learn from yesterday's weak points (there's always something to learn), and plan for tomorrow's successes (let's purpose to be effective by the Spirit for Christ's sake)!

It has been said, "A Pastor is called to: 1. Pastor People, Preach to People and establish Programs for Reaching People."

You can scan the Pastors of present day and say, "This one is great at PASTORING people...This one is great at PREACHING to people....This one is great at creating PROGRAMS for reaching people, but it's difficult to find a Pastor that is successful at all three."

HEED now... -> A Pastor doesn't have to be the best at all three to have our attention and following, but a Pastor should strive to sharpen these areas of Pastoring.

Maybe you're a great preacher of the Bible, but you have not the compassion of a gentle shepherd. You shouldn't say, Oh well! This is how God made me...a great preacher, but not a good Pastor. I guess I'll just let things fall out according to my main skill set...no need to hone the Shepherding Skills of a true Pastor. "

The same goes for a Pastor who truly shepherds people well...please remember to hone your pulpit presence.

We must step back and reevaluate these three areas of Pastoring for the glory of God.

I. Pastoring People takes:

A. Compassion

B. Vision/leading

C. Time/not just talk

D. A listening ear

E. Serving

F. Putting your desires last

G. Loving the unlovable, AGAIN

H. Seeking the restoration of people/not removal

I. Praying in front of them and for them when not around them

II. Preaching to People takes:

A. Prayer

B. Study

C. Sensitivity to the Spirit's leading

D. Embracing the opportunities

E. Creativity

F. Knowing your audience (not preaching to scholarly, or vice versa)

G. Knowing when to stop

H. Being yourself, but learning the zeal and fervor of other preachers (God created you as you for reason-let that be revealed from the pulpit through the Spirit and not the flesh.)

III. Programs for Reaching People takes:

A. Planning

B. Plenty of time for a successful execution.

C. Organization

D. Enlisting/accepting help-leading a team who can execute each step properly and with excellence

E. The goal of connecting people with God (Revival, Outreaches, VBS, Teen Weeks, Men's Events, Ladies Events, etc.)

F. Praying for wisdom in preparing, executing and the after effects of the programs

ONE MAN CAN'T DO EVERYTHING, but a Spirit led Pastor can be successful in the Pastorate as He simply pursues to sharpen the skills he is called to do to reach people for the glory of God.

If you are NOT a Pastor and have read this, please understand that a Pastor needs your encouragement, service, and faithfulness. These three things will aid in His successful execution of what God has called the Pastor to do.

ENCOURAGEMENT:

Encourage your Pastor by desiring him to PASTOR you.

Encourage your Pastor by thanking him for the message he PREACHED to you.

Encourage your Pastor by encouraging PROGRAMS to reach people.

SERVICE:

Serve with your Pastor as he PASTORS people...he can't minister to everyone.

Serve with your Pastor by growing and responding to the message he's worked so hard to prepare and deliver as he's PREACHED it.

Serve with your Pastor by volunteering in any PROGRAM that reaches people.

FAITHFULNESS:

Be Faithful, for we anticipate a shepherd to PASTOR and always be there when we need him.

Be Faithful to the PREACHING services, for God has something preparing in the Pastor's heart for each of us.

Be faithful to help in PROGRAMS, because many hands make light work, and the reward is out of this world!!!

To God be the glory, and God speed!

Blessed Beyond Measure,

Pastor Justyn Smith

CrossroadsPeoria.Life