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.

[Careca Akarue]

Hello,
Nice testimony and i we are believing God for a building also and we were using a house for threshing floor prayer meeting and then God asked us to establish his church, then we moved into a poultry and now we seen a warehouse and i going for it by faith, because is word said he will give us houses we did not build! Please share your testimony with me and also challenges. Rev. 12:11 they overcame by the blood and words of their testimonies. Peace

[Rev. Charles Moore]

To everyone who has responded, let me say thanks to you for sharing. In a world of people who think more of self-accomplishments than Kingdom builders, it is good to see hope in the world. We are being blessed at the church as God is leading us to new levels. We have transitioned with ease, which is due to prayer, fasting, trusting, and listening to God. The members are growing individually and we are now focus on reaching the community. The impact has been tremendous as people are returning to the church or coming to church for the first time. I dont want to mislead you in thinking all is well, but in the midst of it all, I have learned that true leader is determined by not great you are but are those who are your entrusted members are empowered by you to do their very best for God. I realize that it is not about me but it is about God. Keep praying for us and we will the same for you.

Pastor C

[Pastor Clarice Frazier]

Many Blessings to both of you in building Gods kingdom, you truly are an encouragement to me. I am currently a pastor of a small group of people in my home. After almost a year of pastoring, we are slowly growing . I am focused and sticking to the vision God has given me, and humbly seeking and walking in His will and purpose. My desire is to be able to move in a building soon but I am waiting on the go ahead from our Father. this has definitely been a year of revelation, information and application. Thank you and God bless, you are truly appreciated.

Pastor C.

[Rev. Charles Moore]

My encouragement to you is to follow God by listening to Him for direction and don't be afraid if the leap of faith is extreme and near impossible in your scope. Many times we as Pastors look at God's Vision through a Periscope meaning the image we see is limited because of the vehicle used to view the Vision. You are only able to see based on the capability of the Periscope, which is limited just like our minds are limited. However when we look at the same vision through the eyes of the Lord or in the case of the Prophet's servant where the Prophet prayed that his eyes be opened. We see things not as what they are but what God can make it become.

Be Blessed
Pastor C

[Erwin Scofield]

One of my unfortunate experiences led me to revisit what Nehemiah did when he returned to rebuild the way. He took time to first inspect the entire situation in an inconspicuous way. In short, don't be in a rush to announce your plan or initiate a ministry-altering action. Take 6 months or a year to inspect and pray. Of course, you should be on your best preaching so people won't accuse you of being lazy.

[Sylvester Truss]

This is a very interesting subject and I will pass on the advice that was passed on to me: PREACH GOD'S WORD AND LOVE GOD'S PEOPLE!!!!

[Worship]

Man of God test all things that pertain to the Words of God. Do what He says, live your life His way which is righteous. Know that His Son, Jesus Christ was sent to us (for God so love the world He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believes Him shall not perish but have eternal life). The reason He was sent to us was to teach us the Words of God and how God want us to live and also He was the POE for us so that we could pray and ask for forgiveness from God in the Name of His Son, cause of course in order to get to the Father you must go through the Son.When we repent we must also name our sins in prayer to God Almighty and yes of course turn away from sin.
Always live your life as you teach the people nothing contradictory in you or the Word of God. Do not be afraid to tell the people the Words from God. Have true fellowship with God, do His Ordinance it is required and you shall know all things that He wants His people to know.This I feel is some of the things you need to know and please feel free to read the Words that God has for His people in these times on worshipwiththetruth.ning.com.

[Rev. Kevin D. Anthony]

Congratulations Pastor Moore!! Maintain your fasting and praying. Find one or two sound men or women of God with wisdom to support you personally. Persons who are willing to minister to you in a transparent and authentic way as you navigate this journey. Remain steadfast to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the voice of God and always know there is no pleasing all the people when your first committment is to God. Ultimately, your best do's and don't will come with time and experience because each context carries its own particularities.

[Minister QGAgnew]

Everyone has the fear of making mistakes,personallyI've had the privledge of training under some of the most learned men of God in my area.Being raised and taught in the church in most religions all of these great men told me the same thing,be lead of GOD,follow HIS revelations HE puts on your heart.Don't immulate what came before you or what you've seen are heard,just "don't hit the rock".When you're in that spot Pastor,just speak and the words of the Lord,and it will come without thought.Always remember 1corinthians,chapter 12

[Tonya Bonita Clark]

My suggestion to you would is to teach and concentrate your people more on witnessing to others and bringing them in under the umbrella of Christ.(accepting jesus). The church especially the black churches tend not to have a focus on this problem. Yes it is good to teach spiritual growth, knowledge of God's word. But your most powerful weapon is to prepare your people of witnessing on their own in their every day walk in their lives. If this is done, it will become a domino effect. We are definitely in the end times, and the subjects and move that a lot of pastors are taking are not lining up with what God's purpose is for our lives as the body of Christ.

[Eric Darnell Jordan]

I think you have to go in and let the people know what you stand for and what you believe. You have to go in and be firm but fair. Everybody is not going to be happy that you are there especially if you go to a church that is already established. If you are true man/woman of God he will give you the proper discernment and he will lead and guide. After you are there for awhile you will learn people. You will find out who is for you and who is against you and you have to love all of them the same but at least you will know where you stand with them.

[Evangelist Laura L Gates]

First Pastor I like what you said, but to be truly called of God is to not listen to man but to listen to God. A true church is a church that is following Christ. Yes we may share stories and grab faith from them but your walk is a solo walk. Your church is like no other church, yes our fondation is built on Christ that is all the same. But the people in your church is all unique, I won't be able to find another Mr Smith like your Mr Smith. So, God gives you (as a Pastor) what is needed for your church at the time. What I mean let me break it down just a little, If I give a baby wholesome food this baby would die, what you mean you ask, yes the food is wholesome and suppose to nurture the body but a baby can not chew food or it will choke, so we give the baby milk which this baby can drink and get strong and it won't kill it. That is the way churches are different with different people. Revelation tells us it was 7 churches and all churches was different. I don't won't to sway your thinking but giving you something to think about...Take your lead from Christ whom and who is the Head of the Church and you will not go wrong...Love and much blessing going to you today!