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.

[AJ Watkins]

Good to see you growing Pastor Moore. I hope you understood clearly what I penned on your page. Your words here tells me that you have a few shocks from the initial start, but things are getting better and the church is getting stronger. I love to read or hear success stories for God's Leaders.

All The Best & God Bless,

A J Watkins
Pastor AJ (That's What They Call Me) West Mount Olive Baptist Church Simonton Texas

[EW Ministries]

If God has called you then he will lead you.

[MarQuiese "Bishop" Smith]

Beware of those who are so vocal about who they are to the church and what others have not done.
Those are the ones who usually did NOTHING and now trying to get a position that they couldn't get with the previous pastor.
When someone comes to you about somebody else in the church IMMEDIATELY end the conversation and call a meeting with the person being spoken about.
Being a late pastor's grandson and seeing how evil, conniving and deceitful church folk can be after the pastor has passed on and the new pastor comes in I can tell you these two bits of info will save your church from what has happened in my church back home and others.

[Spoken And Motion Ministries]

Pastor Donnie Mcclurkin
Perfecting Church, Freeport, New York

This past week, popular preacher, recording artist and pastor, Donnie McClurkin, went on record to declare his deep disappointment with what he sees as pastoral abuses in the body of Christ. His comments has raised a legitimate question about abuse and excesses in the body of Christ and has brought attention to a topic that has largely been ignored in the church community.

In an article appearing in Essence this past week Pastor McCLurkin is quoted as saying:

“As pastors, we have to link arms and have bi-partisanships. The [Black] church has always been the face of the community. Now we have to take on the responsibility of becoming true servants to the people from all walks of life. I get so mad when I see these pimpin' preachers driving Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, flying around in their private jets, and making it seem like prosperity and money is the way of God when 90 percent of your congregation is on
Section 8 or can't figure out how they are going to keep their lights on or feed their kids. I'm big on perception, and what would it look like for me to live so lavishly if the people in my church are struggling?” says Pastor McClurkin in the article."

In venting his frustration over the behavior of some in the church community, Pastor McCLurkin reveals his own humility and sense of service to God and God’s people, by outlining his own relationship, financial and otherwise, with his church and his refusal to take revenue from a congregation that he has built from the ground up.

“I've done great in gospel music, and only a few of us have
accomplished what I have, and guess what? I live in the ‘hood, not
some place on the outskirts of the ‘hood. There ain't no gate
around my house; I have a white fence because the people I pastor
live in that community. I have one vehicle and it's not a
Mercedes, it's a Lincoln Navigator. I don't receive a dime—not an
Abraham Lincoln copper coin—and haven't for the last
seven-and-a-half years because I'm okay.” he tells Kenya Byrd of
Essence Magazine.

As such, Pastor McCLurkin has become a model and an example for others to emulate. His mentality and actions, that places a greater emphasis on service than profit, can only be admired by all of those who love the Lord and are seeking to do his will to the best of their ability. Pastor McCLurkin makes it clear that he has options, but chooses to live a modest and humble lifestyle because that what God has called him to do.

If I wanted to buy a Phantom or Bentley I could and not hurt my
pockets, but I'm okay with what I have. I can sing and work and I
let all that money go back into the church so we can buy the
delicatessen on the corner, or the house next door to make it
state-of-the-art low-income housing. We've trained our people to
put their leaders on pedestals, and some people want to live
vicariously through their pastor and say, "My pastor has this and
he's on television and so on," but then what do you have? How have
you prospered and grown? So when I hear other pastors say, "My
people take care of me," I'm thinking, But you're supposed to be
taking care of the people. I just don't get it. Pastor McCLurkin
goes on to say.says McClurkin.

What is best gleaned from the wisdom and honesty of Pastor McCLurkin is his healthy attitude about the church and who it belongs to. His “ecclesiology”, which is worthy of our consideration, perhaps best represents what Christ had in mind when he gave pastors to the body of Christ in the first place.

I don't have a church, but I do have a church that I pastor. I
can't name something the Donnie McClurkin Temple because the
people do not belong to me and if they did that would mean I have
slaves. I am simply a vessel to deliver God's word. At the end of
the day, it's God's church, not mine. advises Pastor McCLurkin.

[BC Haynes]

That was great info,,, good to see that issue is being addressed!

[Toni]

sister thanks so much for sharing this ... the ONLY other pastor I've ever heard with this servant mindset is Rick Warren when he was interveiwed by Larry King. It broke me down that day. So often we "leaders" often forget that the word "minister" is both a noun AND a verb. ok, God revealed that to me long ago. Today, reading these postings here, I see also that "leader" and "pastor" are both nouns and verbs too...

ps Congratualtions Pastor Moore, God speed and God bless you in your spiritual promotion. And thanks to all the leaders who have provided wise counsel, there is safety in the multitude of counselors and I pulled up to the table to eat too

[Rev. Joyce Irvin Harris, M.Div.]

DON'T assume that you are "the Pastor" on Day One! On Day One you are entering into the Office of the Pastor. You don't become "the Pastor" until the people own you as their pastor. The latter is a process that is based on the strength of your relationship with your people. With that being said...

DO begin to build relationships with your people individually and with the congregation as a whole. You become the pastor by sharing in their sorrows and their joys. You become pastor by teaching the Word, equipping the church, empowering the Saints, and evangelizing the lost. You become pastor by communicating the vision that God has given you for the people. You become pastor by living a life that is worthy of emulation -- beginning with being true to your own family first.

ON YOUR FIRST DAY know that, contrary to popular perception, being a Pastor is a spiritual calling as well as a temporal one. Many who shepherd God's people do not do so in local congregations. That is only one venue. There may come a time when that venue is not available to you. Like the Israelites, churches can choose to ignore or dismiss the prophet to "do their own thang". If you are truly called as a Pastor, you will continue to be one to whomever God sends your way. You will discover that a Pastor is who you are and who you're gifted to be, not only what you do.

ABOVE ALL remain true to your personal relationship with God. You can't pastor on KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities) alone!!! Seminary trains your mind and sharpens your skills and abilities. Seminary does not necessarily nurture your soul. God, through the Holy Spirit, does that through your praying, meditating on, and studying the Word. In your times with God, you'll gain strength, correction, vision, and strategies for provisions for all that God would have you to do.

God will never leave you or foresake you. You do your best to be as faithful to Him.

Blessings,
Pastor Joyce

[PASTOR BARBARA WHITE]

AM ALSO BACK HERE AS A NEW PASTOR JUST KNOW THAT IF GOD CALLED U HE WILL ENQUIRE U FOR THE TASK JUST KNOW THAT BECAREFUL ,WATCH AS WELL PRAY.STAY PRAYED UP

[Ulysses (Mac) Mckneely]

Doc my best advice is first remember how you come in is how they will know you . If you don't walk in your god given authority they will walk all over you. Second know the diffrence between spiritual authority and positonal authority.Positonal authority is when they know you as the pastor which is immeadiate your influence is limited in the hearts and minds of the people but over time they get to know you as my pastor thats spirtual authority this comes over time by going through life with them . This is when you dont need your name on the check book to control it(bty...leave the finances alone unless someone is stealing) . Don't pastor in fear of being put out because if god established your foot steps then he will not allow you to slip. Lastly you didn't organize the church so an they know that. OH also don't take advise from everybody not all churches are the same(except this)...LOLLOL

[Rev. Joshua D. Banks]

My brother I would like to ask you a question and that is how can I go about finding a church that is in need of not just another preacher but a pastor, a preacher, and a man of God. Please send me you advice.

[Ulysses (Mac) Mckneely]

Doc all churches are in need of a real pastor. But God tailor makes a man of God for every situation. Your search is not what churches wants a real preacher but what situation am I purposed for. The fact of the matter is every church has thier devils but God gifts every pastor that he chooses with the substance need to handle an endure the situation.Listen brother if God has chosen you for the pastorate all you have to do is be patient keep busy in the work an seek God on every oppourtunity presented to you.Believe me God has a specific place just for you. Remember allthough david was anoited king he didnt sit on the throne untill many years later an all that he went through prepared him for his riegn. Even though it seems like it will never come brother God is just preparing you for what is to come so work on your sling shot technique cause your giant is coming.I..... KNOW HE'S ALRIGHT....LOL..LOL Holla at me sometimes

[Rev. Anthony Luckett]

Good Advice brother Mac! I'm not a Pastor, but I do believe that God will open that door when HE says the time is right. Be Blessed!