Kevin DeYoung has under-sold the value of these two lists by their title. Pastors and church leaders with any amount of experience will identify with, and benefit from further contemplation of, these points:
Advice for Theological Students and Young Pastors
2. Beware of closing your heart to people.
6. Don’t try to do too much too soon. Expect change to happen very slowly. Whenever possible, work for desired change by positive reinforcement, rather than by criticism.
8. Expect people to leave your church when you come. Be kind when they do. Follow up, ask why they’re leaving, pray for them, then move on. Don’t let a few folks on the way out determine the plans for the rest of the church.
16. Remember: you are not the only special person in the church. Don’t get offended if you’re not invited to a wedding or they ask the other guy to do the baptism. It’s silly to feel threatened when congregants are closer to another staff member or lay leader than they are to you. Read the whole post…
More Advice for Theological Students and Young Pastors
24. Don’t preach your issues from seminary. I can almost guarantee no one in your church doubts the Pauline authorship of Ephesians. It says “Paul” in their Bibles so they’re good to go.
26. Figure out what you believe about divorce and remarriage, and figure it out soon.
30. Develop warm relationship with other evangelical churches in your area. Pray for these churches. Direct people to their ministries when the situation fits. Be happy for their blessings. I realized early on I didn’t really want revival unless I was fine with it starting at the church down the street.
43. Tell your congregation you love them and are glad to be their pastor. Read the whole post…
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