12 Qualities of Pastors Who Last
Anyone can start; it’s the finish that counts. Are you on a trajectory to a healthy, strong finish wherever you are in your ministry journey?
Some of the longest-serving pastors of many of the most vibrant churches in Canada share a few of their secrets of resilience. Most of these pastors have over 35 years of ministry and marriage experience.
Here’s what helped them keep going strong.
12 Qualities of Pastors Who Last
Pastors who last age in place without becoming archaic.
A pastor can be in the same church for over 20 years and remain fresh. The key is that they haven’t had a one-year-experience twenty times.
They re-invented themselves through their time of ministry because they are adaptive leaders. Their church has successfully navigated life cycles and make Spirit-led, timely changes to take the next hill.
Pastors who last are lifelong learners.
Healthy pastors stay current with the latest leadership books, blogs, podcasts, and periodicals. They have a voracious appetite for reading.
Canoeing the Mountains and Leading Change are two widely used books to navigate change.
Pastors who last have spouses who love them and are the biggest fans of their leadership.
Ministry is taxing on marriages and families. Without a spouse’s supportive partnership, leaders flame out.
When Gary Kubiak was hired in 2015 to be the head coach of the NFL Denver Broncos, he made a point of lauding his wife, Rhonda, for her support. “…this business, without a great family, is tough. For me to go out and chase my dreams, Rhonda is always letting me do that. It’s a tough business, with a lot of hours and a lot of work. She’s always kept it under control and said, ‘Go get after it.’ So we’re going to get after it again here.”
Pastors and professional coaches have a lot in common. Spouses who “go after it” with their pastor partners are the biggest factor in leadership longevity.
Stop right here. Do something unexpectedly kind for your spouse to say thanks for his or her support.
Pastors who last know it’s always too soon to quit.
Every honest pastor will tell you they’ve experienced the ever-present temptation to quit. Durable pastors refuse to quit in order to finish well.
The difference between quitting and finishing is a character issue.
Pastors who last are consistent and flexible.
Pastors with proven dependability lead resilient, nimble churches. Durability creates dependability and stability, which are the foundation of flexibility. Significant course corrections are best navigated with a seasoned pilot at the helm because the ministry advances at the speed of trust.
Massive organizations can make major changes because of durable leadership.
Pastors who last laugh, and they leave the people they lead laughing.
A sense of humour is indispensable when leading people through un-fun moments in their lives.
Pastors who last honour the successes of the past and launch bold new initiatives.
Building a culture of honour for previous leaders and ministries is the path forward to future honour and new ministries.
Pastors who last may not be known as innovators but succeed at adapting and adopting the innovations of others.
Smart pastors selectively apply the proven strategies, systems and structures of others.
Pastors who last have a self-sustaining passion for their call.
They are internally motivated and know how to encourage themselves. Every pastor will face a moment or moments when they, like David, need to know how to “encourage themselves in the Lord their God.” (1 Samuel 30:6)
Remember and remind yourself of what God called you to be and do.
Pastors who last recognize that there are seasons of ministry.
With the Lord of the harvest, there is always a “next year” to follow a season of disappointments. Ministry seasons are not sequential. After a summer of seeding, the anticipation of a harvest season may be lost to an unexpected blizzard of wintry conflict.
But winter is not forever. There will always be a spring of new seasons of God’s favour.
Pastors who last are seldom the smartest person in the room.
Wise pastors rely on the proven wisdom of consultants, mentors and seasoned veterans.
Durable pastors seek counsel.
They ask lots of questions. They know who can get them the answers or where to find the answers they need.
Pastors who last ask the right questions to achieve their big-picture goals.
Good leadership questions are, “What do I want to accomplish in the next 30 days?” AND “Who do I want to become in the next season of my life?” The answers to both questions are required to lead well and long.
Where are you in your leadership journey, and what are you learning about lasting? Please leave a comment at the bottom of this post.
Bob Jones is the founder of REVwords.com, an author, blogger, and coach with 39 years of pastoral experience. Bob is also an Advance Coach with the ABNWT Resource Centre. You can connect with Bob here.