New Pastors: Advice for the New Pastors: The what "to do's" and not "to do's" on Day One

[Rev. Charles Moore]

I remeber my first comments on the BPN was under Min. Lockett discussion regarding "My First Sermon." At that time I was like him "An associate minister, faithful, patience, prayerful, hard working, and preparing for the day when God's will would allow me to pastor a church. You hear the discussion all the time, "When I am a Pastor, I will do this and that. We dont covete the position but we see ourselves preparing for the opportunity. Well, my season is here. After prayer/fasting/listening I recently accepted the Letter from a church to Psator. Words can't describe how I have been feeling. I'm careful to request to stay in God's mercy, remain humble, listen twice before speaking once, trying not to fix things that are not broken, (that is another discussion) learning names, praying frequently, and teaching/preaching. Every Pastor who I know has called, emailed, & texted congrats but I'm looking for advice from some of the experience members of BPN to begin a discussion of advice to new Pastors. I would rather learn from others mistakes than make them. School can prepare you but on day one, life experinces re-train you. by the way, all those ideas you had racing through your mind before you became a Pastor seem to exit on day one. I would like to hear your advice to New Pastors. I have always been one to recieve advice and learn from it.

[Rev. Anthony Luckett]

i'm not a pastor but I would say communication is a key element. communicate with your people. Make sure they understand what you may be talking about. Sometimes they get 5th hand information and it was never the original thing that you said. Love your people, love your people, and love them more. Have compassion for them. (even your haters) Listen to them. I know God speaks through the Pastor, and the vision is casted through the Pastor, realize that God speaks to your members as well. Some of them do have a true relationship with the Lord. (some lol) I'm not saying allowing them to dictate the vision of the church, what i'm saying is listen to them from time to time. they may be in left field, but listen anyway. Every now and then a member has a great idea that can assist you in your vision. And I agree with Sister Clark, teach and train your people to share the gospel. Go out as a church body, and continue to tell them to do it on their own as well.

[Lady Minister Ronnelle Brunswick]

Advice from a VERY HAPPY First Lady - For the first three years simply love the people, preach and teach. Before you start with your agenda and changing things that they do and who does what learn the people and find out how and why they do what they do... Often people go into a situation and rush the relationship... If you are to be a good shepherd you must first learn the habits, needs and desires of your sheep... Let the people see that you are interested in them... Be discerning and remember that they are not your friends they are your responsibility... Lead by example, let them see you when they need to and even when they don't - be there for their families... But do not dictate change - be wise enough to know that people will change when they are comfortable with the direction that tehy are being led into, remember all of your past hurts and how they were inflicted upon you because they were the lessons that were designed to build and create your character and then remember your past successes and how they were wrought in your life for they were designed to encourage you in the rough times...

[SANCHEZ L.HALL]

I THANK GOD FOR THIS SUBJECT I'M GETTING READY TO PASTOR THE CHURCH THAT I ATTEND, MY PASTOR HASBEEN PASTORING FOR 40 YRS.MOST OF THE MEMBERS SEEM TO BE OK WITH THE PASSING OF THE MANTEL I WOULD LOVE SOME ADVISE FROM PASTORS,WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS SIMULAR SITUATION.

[Pastor John H. Young, Sr]

Boy, you will have a great challenge but It can be fun, if you don't try to fill you pastors shoes. They are way to big, and have been worn for quite sometime. First step.... Pray for wisdom! God gives that out liberally. Second Step... Preach Jesus like you lost your mind! Don't mimick your pastor, preach from your heart (What comes from the heart will reach the heart). Third Step... Give the sheep enough time to get know the voice of their shepherd! There is no way they will follow you if they don't know you and your heart. This does not happen overnight (Unless you would marry someone on the first date...lol). Build relationships..BUT you are there pastor not there buddy. Just like dating, what ever you do to get them, you must do to keep them. Dont make the mistake we all do of putting on a facade, and then the real you comes out 3 months later.

Finally, Watch as well as pray! The members maybe OK with the mantle be passed, but to what extent. I don't know how long you have been at the church, but if you grew up there, you may have a few challenges, but with Wisdom they can be overcome.

Anytime you need to talk or vent...hit me up!

[SANCHEZ L.HALL]

MAN OF GOD,THANK YOU FOR YOUR SOUND ADVISE I'VE BEEN A MEMBER THERE FOR 12YRS.I COULD NOT TELL YOU AT WHAT TIME OR PLACE THAT MY PASTOR AND I BONDED THE WAY WE DID BUT,I WAS NOT THE ONE HE WOULD HAVE CHOSEN.I HAVE BEEN HIS RIGHT ARM FOR ABOUT 4YRS. NOW BUT THANKS BE TO GOD THAT HE OBEYED THE VOICE OF THE LORD.NOW HE SAYS THAT HE WOULD HAVE MADE A VERY BAD CHOICE IF HE HAD CHOSEN THE ELDER THA HAS BEEN WITH HIM FOR 25 YRS.I HAVE HAD SOME TRYING DAYS BUT GOD IS DOING A WORK IT'S NOT SO BAD NOW.I FEEL BETTER JUST BEING ABLE TO VENT TO SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION I THANK GOD FOR YOU BE BLESSED.

[TrustnGod]

Thank you! I am in that situation now. Pastoring for four years this month. My mother passed the mantle and (you know how it is - people saying "They have been there for years") I have been preaching for over 12 years.

The honey moon in the ministry was ok, but now the real deal has set in. I will not compromise. There are so many that are set in their ways. I love and have a heart for the people of God

For the most part, I do have the respect of the people, which I had to earn. But there are snakes in the grass. I consistantly ask God for wisdom. Someone told me not to be surprise if the church get clean out to start over.
I dare not kick against God's people. They are his souls.

Pastor can you pray for me. I can't go to the congregation. Some times I feel Iam at my wits end. (no one to talk too)

[SAMUEL]

my advice 2 u is dat: u shud always seek d leadership of d Holyspirit for a preacher without the complete experiencial knowledge of the holy Spirit he is just like a poet reciting a poem.

Always ask Him D Holy Spirit for wisdom cos it (wisdom) is profitable 2 direct

[Jackie]

I am not a Pastor, however I have helped in the start up of two ministries just being the corporate secretary, both Ministries are still functioning strong. The thing I would say is to always remember...don't ever forget the people who help and labor with you to start that ministry. And seek wise counsel from other Pastors that you know have been called by God to pastor.

[Pastor Melvin Fleming Jr.]

Praise the Lord man of God,

I was surfing the net when I came across your title "New Pastors Advise do's & don't...
I recently became the new pastor in October of 2008 after the death of my father who was my pastor & bishop for 24 years. I preached as an evang. for more than 23 years. But now God brought me to my destiny of leadership. Listen I made a mistake in changing some things to fast. Remember the church I am pastoring many were under the traditional way of the former their pastor so changing thing to quickly can hurt the church because people are not ready for change to fast. Do move to quick in yourself let the Lord direct you in every made. But also you must NEVER let the people control you and your ministry as their leader. God has blessed me to have a strong deacon board that backs my every move concerning the church. When taking over a ministry is different from starting one for the ground floor. People knew me as the firey evangelist, but now as the leader it is sometime hard for some to adjust. Remember the key to spiritual development of any church is prayer. Keep the church before God with prayer and fasting, bible study, and strong teaching and most of all you stay HUMBLE before God and watch what God will do. Most pastor start out humble and a real love for ministy, but when the success comes down the road they take their eyes off of God and it comes about them. Man of God "stay humble and thank the people always for staying connected to the ministry.

Pastor Melvin Fleming Jr.
www.myspace.com/newbethelchurch or www.melvinflemingministires.org

[Jesus Loves Us All]

Most pastor start out humble and a real love for ministy, but when the success comes down the road they take their eyes off of God and it comes about them. Man of God "stay humble and thank the people always for staying connected to the ministry. This is the best advise that one could give because this is the true reality of what's in our churches today. Started out promoting ministry but now they are now promoting and lovers of themselves to the point that they don't pay tithes but expect the members to. Please stay humble and real for Jesus!

[IMP ACT]

Rev Moore,
this massage has both humbled and encouraged me,
praise God, i love you man of God,

[e-mail]

[Overseer Avery Kinney]

Let me help you right here!

*Don't be quick to title folks up
*Don't make emotional decisions (make spirit led decisions)
*Don't try to duplicate the anointing and assignment of another ministry
*Invest into the people who position themselves to be invested into
*Be Consistent in EVERYTHING
*Lead from the front and not the back
*Always deal with the facts and not the emotions
*Bleed up and Not down
*Communicate your vision clearly
*Establish healthy boundaries for family and friends that are apart of the ministry
*Tell the truth and spare not


I have alot more if anyone is interested.

Overseer Kinney