5 Words of Advice for Young Pastors

As I've watched the world change over the last few decades, one thing has remained constant: my love for investing in young, teachable pastors.

I think it's one of the best ways to encourage future leaders and provide them with great opportunities to grow their skillset. If you're reading this, I know some of the following apply to you. You are passionate about Jesus and his Church.

You love people sincerely and want to pour into them (and let them pour into you). The pastorate is your call. You are experiencing the ups and downs of ministry life, including some who've invested in you (that you sincerely appreciate) and maybe others that aren't so great.

One constant in ministry life is change. Each week I get to do things I've never done before. When you are a young pastor, the chances are good that you will face times where you feel ill-equipped and overwhelmed.

Now that I have more than twenty years of pastoring, I'm eager to share what I'm learning to help younger pastors. One question I'm generically asked often: What advice would you give to young pastors just starting in ministry? Here are five words of advice for young pastors:

Prioritize Your Relationship With The Lord. Keep Him First

If God has allowed you to be a pastor—it's probably because He wants to use you to impact other people for His kingdom. And one of the best ways for Him to do that is through your relationship with Him.

So make sure you are growing in your faith. You are never too young to walk with God or learn more about Him.

Sometimes we can get distracted and forget about our relationship with the Lord and how He is working in our lives and ministry. His will for our ministry is deeper than we can comprehend, but we must keep Him centered in all that we do.

It may not always be easy to stay focused, but it's worth it! Ask God to help you prioritize your relationship with Him and not let other things take the place of this essential bond.

There are many ways to put God first in your life, but I want to offer a few specific suggestions. If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a breath and ask yourself what is essential at this moment.

When I feel overwhelmed, it sometimes helps me to pray, meditate, or read Scripture. Treating other people with kindness and respect is also a way to put God first.

You can do this by being honest without hurting people's feelings, being polite when possible, and not gossiping or judging people behind their backs.

Prayer is The Foundation So Set It as a Priority

Prayer is the foundation, so set it as a priority in your schedule, or it will be pushed back/out. Prayer is not just about "talking to God" but much more. It is listening to what God has to say. 

When you spend time listening to what God has to say, you also listen for his voice in other places like Scripture, what other people are saying, where you live, work, etc. It's hard to catch God in a vacuum, so being aware of what God is doing around you will help your prayer life.

Prayer is the best thing you can do with your time. For Christians, prayer is talking to God, but it's so much more than that. Prayer is listening to what God has to say and recognizing his voice everywhere. When you spend time listening for him in places other than prayer, it's easier to know when he's talking to you."

Family is Your Top Priority. Ministry Comes Second. Failure in the Family Means Failure in Ministry

I am a pastor, and I understand the heavy responsibility of pastoral ministry. Still, I know that family and ministry go hand in hand. The family is the foundation of life and social connections.

When the family is working together, it provides stability for all members. The family also helps to set expectations for life and gives direction- both spiritually and practically. Failure in one area can lead to failure in another.

"Family is your top priority; ministry comes second." This statement needs to be lived out for it to be taken seriously by those who are still calling themselves pastors while their marriage crumbles or while they neglect their children because they're working more than they're home. Young pastors who are entering the workforce must get a firm grasp of this truth.

In Proverbs, we read, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). This verse teaches us that God wants to build His church through families- not just children, but families.

The home is the primary place where a child learns about God and their identity as an adopted son or daughter of God (John 1:12). These foundational truths are planted in the soil of our hearts through family relationships.

Find Mentors and Encourage Them to Mentor You

Finding the right mentors is a crucial part of entering ministry. Mentors can help you learn what it takes to be in ministry, and they can teach you how to prioritize your time and give you advice on the best ways to approach people. A mentor can help you interpret your new culture and navigate complex issues.

Your mentors should be trusted people who also see the vision God has for you in ministry. When interviewing a potential future mentor, choose someone who will stretch, encourage and inspire you to be your best self while loving on you through some hard conversations. You need to be open with them and know that they have your best interest at heart.

It's okay to have a mentor who has more experience than you; remember that God did not call them to be YOU. You are called uniquely by God, and the wisdom of other pastors will never compare to how he may guide you through his word. Find someone who will see your potential and come alongside you while encouraging you to pursue what God has called you to do.

You Can't Do It By Yourself, Don't Be Afraid to Ask For Help

Someone once said, "if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go further, go with a team." Translation: Become a part of a tribe that will hold you accountable and encourages you to pursue what God has called you to do. Your well-being is never more important than the greater vision God has for your ministry.

It's great that you have a heart for ministry, but your priority should be yourself after God. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Being too tired to function correctly will lead to mistakes and causing more harm than good. If you don't prioritize your well-being, you won't last in ministry for very long.

You should always be learning and growing, but that can come at a cost if you don't manage your time wisely. Ask yourself the question, "What will I miss out on by saying yes?" It may have been good for others, but was it necessary or correct for you? Practice learning to say no. Don't let yourself fall into the trap of yes, just because you're too afraid to say no.

Your leadership will make or break the people you're leading. The more empowered and encouraged they feel by your leadership, the more likely they will stick around and grow with you toward a common goal.

Jesus said that "All of you should be of one mind; united in spirit with one purpose." Don't be afraid to surround yourself with people who see the vision God has for you and want to see you succeed as a leader.

Did you find today's post helpful? What additional advice would you give to young pastors?