A young man on Threads recently asked:

“I am being installed as the Lead Pastor of the church I’ve grown up at! I am so grateful to be trusted with this responsibility 🙏🏽pastors any advice?”

Now, asking a Pastor if he has any advice is often like asking the sea if its tides will change. The answer is always “Yes.” But, while there are seemingly unending options for what can be spoken into, there are a few core elements that create balance, health and proper expectation for life, ministry and endurance to run the race. Pastoring is hard, much more than preaching on Sundays (which in itself is a high responsibility) is the care of the people of God, and that care begins every day in our hearts, in our homes, and then with those we serve alongside.

Here’s what I shared with him. Read through these and let me know what you’d add or change.
I have some questions for you at the end!

Priority 1: Personal Disciplines and Devotion

Your time in prayer & daily study with God. Be intentional. Go slow. Don’t skip it. Everything else will function from the overflow of this time every day.

Priority 2: Caring for Your family

They are the first recipients of what God pours into you, and your first biblical point of stewardship. Be intentional. Go slow. Don’t skip it. Everything else after them exists at a lower priority level.

Priority 3: Know Your Staff & Lay Leaders

Here at the beginning, get to know them, their hearts, their giftings, their…testimonies. If you’re going to lead well, you need to serve those you lead by loving them from a place of understanding. What happens at Priority 1 will flow into them as your secondary point of stewardship after your family. Build up by investing into.

Priority 4: Leading Through Sermon Preparation

Nothing will compare to straight exposition of the Word. Don’t worry about chasing topics and fad-based series from “that big church.” Your staff can plan easier when they can read ahead (it’s all there in scripture) and plan accordingly.

Your tasks:

Pray Hard
Over the text, from the text, for your heart before God, for discernment, wisdom and strength to deliver it to the people God has entrusted to you.

Study Hard
Dig deep. Consult commentaries. Look into the original language, context and intention. Know the text so it knows you. Read the text so it has read you. Consult the text so it speaks from you rather than you speaking from it.

Present Simply
Know your flock. Feed them lovingly. Speak truth.

Priority 5: Take Shepherding Personally

Make sure people know you are available, approachable and share the task of ministering to them with those in leadership. You are the lead under-shepherd, so lead by example: delegate with out distancing.

Priority 6: Make changes later, and then slowly. – Every healthy thing should grow, but we cannot force growth, and we need not change for change’s sake. Let the church family get to know you in this role, build up relational equity and trust.

Plan changes with your lead team. Seek counsel from other local pastors who’ve been in your place and don’t rush anything. (“Who Moved My Pulpit” gives a great into insight for this.)

You will have passion for growth and health. Those are God-given, but we cannot move His hand to enact those changes apart from His perfect timing.

Priority 7: Build a network of local pastors:

Old seasoned pastors who still love the church, the Word and who walk in integrity.

Peers who can speak into you and know your heart.

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Questions for Seasoned Pastors

1. Personal Disciplines and Devotion: How have your personal spiritual disciplines evolved over the years? What practices have been most sustaining for your spiritual growth?
2. Family Care: Looking back, what adjustments did you find necessary to keep family priorities balanced with ministry? How do you communicate these boundaries with your church community?
3. Understanding Staff and Lay Leaders: How do you maintain deep relationships with your staff while still leading them effectively? Have you found any strategies for building trust and encouraging vulnerability within your leadership team?
4. Sermon Preparation: With years of experience in preaching, how do you continue to keep sermon preparation fresh and Spirit-led? How do you balance deep study with the demands of pastoral duties?
5. Personal Approach to Shepherding: What practical steps have you taken to ensure your congregation knows you are approachable and available? How do you maintain this personal touch with a larger congregation?
6. Pacing Change and Growth: From your experience, what are some changes that tend to require more time for acceptance within a church? How do you gauge whether the church is ready for change, and how do you know when to hold back?
7. Building a Pastoral Network: What advice would you give to a new pastor about building a network of peer support? How do you approach relationships with pastors outside your denomination or church background?

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Questions for New / Young Pastors

1. Personal Disciplines and Devotion: What rhythms or habits can you put in place now to build a solid foundation of personal devotion? How will you keep yourself accountable in these early years?
2. Family First: How do you plan to ensure your family feels prioritized over ministry demands? Have you discussed specific boundaries with your family?
3. Knowing Your Team: What are some ways you could start learning about your staff and lay leaders in meaningful ways? How will you approach team-building in these initial months?
4. Sermon Preparation: How will you balance the desire for deep study with your other pastoral responsibilities? What resources or tools might help streamline this process for you?
5. Shepherding and Availability: What steps will you take to show your congregation that you’re approachable and genuinely interested in their lives? How can you make yourself accessible without becoming overwhelmed?
6. Implementing Changes Gradually: What strategies will you use to gain insight into the church culture before making changes? How will you balance the urge to bring new ideas with respect for existing traditions?
7. Networking and Mentorship: Do you already know any local pastors who could be mentors or trusted friends in ministry? How will you approach building supportive relationships that can sustain you over time?