'Practical Pastoring:The Church Book Five'

The ministry is a marathon. You cannot complete the race if the enemy destroys you before you get to the finish line. In some of my earlier work, I shared part of the pain of entering the ministry and dealing with some of the people who attend church.

You are not exempt from the pain of dealing with people who act carnal, selfish, greedy, or mean. Do not sink to their level. Keep your eyes on Jesus and maintain a clean heart when pastoring.

Moses is a good example of one who prayed for people who were behaving badly. Pray for your enemies through the power of the Holy Spirit. At the same time pray that you will be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.

When I served as an Industrial Arts and Drivers Education instructor in Shepherd, Montana, I offered to resign from my position early in my career. Our superintendent had given the annual doom and gloom budget speech. I felt that if the district was going to have to reduce its teaching staff, I should resign.

Sometimes our good intentions are exactly the opposite of what God has for us. My superintendent told me that he was tearing up my letter. He explained that the district had hired me for a reason. I quickly understood the point. I was to continue to serve the students and community of Shepherd.

Years later, when God called me to pastor the Ark Church in Havre, Montana, I had a peace and confirmation about resigning my teaching position and accepting the call of God on my life. Do not give up what God has given you until He asks you to release the gift.

When you find yourself in difficult pastoral situations, check with God as to what to do next. You and elders continue to be responsible for feeding, leading and protecting the flock during tough times. Do not quit. Do not let pride or false pride obscure your vision.

You may feel as if you have not done a perfect job of pastoring the church. You have not. It is OK. God is after our best. He knows who and what He is working with in you. Do not step down from your office as the pastor. However, if the Lord tells you to step down, then you need to obey Him immediately. Otherwise, keep doing the next right thing. The church needs stability in times of crisis.

Pastor Dan addressed growing weary and enduring hostility from sinners. The pastoral life is not a trouble free adventure. Take comfort in the fact that Jesus will never leave you.

Pass the test. Are you willing to serve God when you do not feel like serving Him? Will you love people even when they are not loveable? Will you still preach your best even though it may seem as if you are casting pearls before swine?

Do not give in to the temptation of being angry at all church people when only a few are attempting to ruin your ministry and the church. Some people take pride in the fact that they were involved in the closing of churches. We are on this earth and in our positions for a reason and a season.

It may be that God will use you to close a church. I do not have any experience in that area. I believe that God wants to increase His Kingdom on Earth. He is looking for faithful people to participate in His plans for your community. Will you stay and fight the good fight of faith even though your flesh feels like quitting?

God’s Word encourages me that His power shows up best in weak people. Let your weakness in the natural be an encouragement for you in the spiritual realm. Confess your dependence on the Lord. Watch and see what He does on your behalf.

In the midst of trials, you may find that refining fire brings elements to the surface needing to be discarded. When I was in the midst of major church conflict I asked God to forgive me for my heart attitude as I has become hard hearted. After a come to Jesus meeting with my pastor in Minneapolis I returned to Havre to continue to pastor the Ark Church.

The people at the Ark Church who were unhappy with me and the other elders soon left the Ark. Over two decades later, the Ark Church continues serving God and the people of north central Montana.

Kevin Barsotti

Ark Church

This article is part of “Practical Pastoring: Mentoring Growth Letters from a Senior Pastor to a New Pastor, Book Five.” The author responds to his pastor’s letters from twenty years ago when he began his pastoral journey.