Saturday Insights

I will have been in pastoral ministry 27 years this coming September. The following list is some "core values" that I have developed over that period. What I mean by "core values" is that these for me are beliefs about pastoring and ministry in general that have served as guidelines over the years. They are in no particular order of importance.

~ Be honest and transparent with people

I probably do this to a fault. But it keeps everything simple. I absolutely hate not being myself or trying to be what people expect me to be. I started out in pastoral ministry very young and it seemed like people were always trying to lay their expectations on me..."this is what I think a pentecostal preacher must look like, act like, and sound like." Even to this day, I detest that. However, I will say that my Heavenly Father is teaching me to be patient when people do this and love them anyway.

~ After people come to Christ, the real work of the church begins (discipleship)

I don't like to admit this, but when I first entered the ministry I was a big numbers guy. It was all about how many we had in Sunday School or Morning Worship. "I was addicted to counting heads." I read every church growth book that was ever written my first 15 years in ministry. I went to every church growth conference. I wanted to have the biggest church in the state and the biggest in the Church of God.
It really does pain me to talk about this. Over the years, the Lord has taught me that "its not about numbers but people." Jesus left the ninety-nine and went after the one. He carefully nurtured and loved the one. The Lord has taught me to minister and love the one. This is why I believe so strongly in one-on-one discipleship and mentoring. This is why we train cell leaders to do...to disciple "the one." This I believe is the greatest ministry of the church with the end result being "mature believers."

~ My Greatest Responsibility as a Pastor is to be a Godly Example 1 Peter 5:3 "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock."

I will admit, I have to work at this hard and often fail. I know a lot of people are watching me so they must see Christ in me. God help me!


~ Love People Unconditionally

Again, this is easier said than done. Sometimes I have to exercise "tough love" which some people don't see as love at all. The hardest part of loving people is loving God...thats right, you heard me right. As I love God, He gives me the capacity to love people...no matter what they do or say. You KP people have heard me say often, if you want to love someone start by praying for them. As you pray for them, God will enable you to love them...show them acts of love.

~Try to Be Disciplined...in all areas of Life

This too, is a tough one. My daily disciplines sometimes can get in my way of obeying the voice of God. However, the apostle Paul aid that dsicipline leads to godliness, so discipline is imperative.

My daily disciplines include prayer; the reading and studying of God's Word; finances (recording every penny spent); and exercise and nutrition. I have attempted for 25 years now to pray at least an hour a day. Do I sometimes fail...absolutely. But I also have larned the importance of praying without ceasing throughout my day.
Secondly, I try to study the Word of God daily. I am very weak in this area...not because I don't want too study. I love to study God's Word. But just making the time with ministry and family demands is tough. Thirdly, being disciplined in our finances has brought great freedom to Annette and I in our ability to give. We literally watch every penny we spend and everything is recorded and evaluated. This takes a lot of work but it is worth it. As we have proven ourselves to be good stewards of what God has given us, He has given us wisdom along the way. I am thankful for God's grace in this area.
And finally, in spite of my aches and pains, ruptures, spasms, heart and back issues, and too much fatty tissue...I put a great value on exercise and eating right. I also believe in regular fasting and prayer which not only helps me spiritually but cleanses my body of toxins.

Well, thats enough. You are probably bored stiff by now. But hopefully something I wrote down will inspire or inform you in some way. See you in worship tomorrow!

-Pastor Randy