{"id":30815,"date":"2022-09-10T15:05:38","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:05:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-areas-of-life-as-a-pastor-you-cant-ignore\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:05:38","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:05:38","slug":"5-areas-of-life-as-a-pastor-you-cant-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-areas-of-life-as-a-pastor-you-cant-ignore\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Areas of Life as a Pastor You Can’t Ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"
Malte Helmhold photo – Unsplash <\/p>\n

By Ben Mandrell<\/em> <\/p>\n

As you\u2019re reading this, you probably have a commitment hanging over your head or a relentless deadline that won\u2019t stop nagging you. Chances are, you\u2019re tired. You\u2019re a human being, not a human doing. But the Father loves your being<\/em> more than your doing<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Some recent findings from Lifeway Research\u2019s Greatest Needs of Pastors study show half of U.S. Protestant pastors say they need to focus on time management. Slightly more (55%) believe over-commitment is an issue they need to address.<\/p>\n

Based on these findings, most of us in ministry need this reminder: If you never close another gap in your leadership, if you never take your game up a notch, God\u2019s love for you remains full, like a gas tank that never empties no matter how far you drive. Former Lifeway president Jimmy Draper said, \u201cGod did not call us first to His service, He called us first to Himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGod did not call us first to His service, He called us first to Himself.\u201d \u2014 Jimmy Draper Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

Of all the lessons we must learn as children of God, this one feels like swallowing horse pills. It\u2019s hard to choke this one down. You have been saved by grace and not by performance. Your relationship with Jesus is rock-solid secure, because of what He has done. We are the ones who make it about what we’re<\/em> doing.<\/p>\n

Live by the Spirit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Adam Mason, a brilliant counselor I\u2019ve come to know, explained to me the difference between life in the Spirit and life in the flesh. When we are living in the flesh, we’ve switched back to functional atheism: “There is no God, and it’s all riding on me.”<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

When we fall into this mindset we resort to four strategies, as Adam outlines:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Where should I do more?<\/li>\n
  2. Where should I do less?<\/li>\n
  3. What should I do differently?<\/li>\n
  4. What should I do better?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This is the never-ending self-improvement plan. When we allow this switch to flip, we move from resting in God\u2019s power to trying to change the world by our own power. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who labor, labor in vain (Psalm 127:1). The battle belongs to the Lord.<\/p>\n

    What does this mean? It means we can \u201cbe,\u201d and we can let Him \u201cdo.\u201d It means we can stop pretending we have all the answers, we can take on one more thing, and we can solve the puzzle without help. In our weakness, we are strong.<\/p>\n

    The greatest gift you bring your church is your growth in godliness. \u2014\u00a0@benmandrell Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

    The greatest gift you bring your church is your growth in godliness. Much like many parents use a marker to measure their kids\u2019 heights and see how much they’ve grown, we need to look at the line over the past few years and ask: \u201cHave I grown?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, plentiful on my branches? If not, what parts of me are empty or unhealthy?<\/p>\n

    5 buckets of life<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    I try to think about my life as the filling of five buckets:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Health<\/li>\n
    2. Hobbies<\/li>\n
    3. Families<\/li>\n
    4. Friendship<\/li>\n
    5. Church<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      And I actually think about them in that order. Health and hobbies are related to self-care. Family and friendship describe the two categories of relationships where I have the greatest risk of deathbed regret. When I get to the finish line, those relationships are what matter most to me. But these first four buckets need to be filled in order for me to live out my calling to the church.<\/p>\n

      Let\u2019s unpack these five areas of life pastors can\u2019t afford to ignore.<\/p>\n

      1. Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      This may go without saying, but when I use the word \u201chealth,\u201d I\u2019m thinking beyond the physical sense (though it\u2019s important). Here are some important questions we must ask ourselves:<\/p>\n

      Am I spiritually healthy? How am I growing in godliness, pursuing humility, and enjoying prayer?<\/p>\n

      Am I emotionally healthy? When am I taking on more than I can tackle? Am I being vulnerable with others? Do I have accountability with others? Am I willing to forgive others?<\/p>\n

      How am I staying physically healthy? Am I weight training? Getting enough fresh air? Eating balanced meals? When my wife looks at me, does she see a guy who gave up or is going down fighting?<\/p>\n

      Nearly half (49%) of the pastors in the study I referenced earlier said eating right is a challenge for them, and even more (59%) say they need to focus on consistently exercising. The truth is, none of us is alone in these struggles.<\/p>\n

      2.<\/strong> Hobbies<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Am I an interesting person? Am I fun to be around? When the conversation runs thin, do I have some fresh things to talk about? Do I have some subjects I want to learn more about? These are a few things that make me a better person and prevent me from becoming a work machine:<\/p>\n