Since I’m always trying to improve my diplomatic skills, I was listening to Jim Rome’s radio show yesterday, while driving my truck to meet my wife for lunch at Blue Coast (best burritos in Nashville).
I have no idea what it was, but something Bro Romy said prompted me to grab a pen and a scrap of paper and write the following list:
“The Pastor’s Job Description”
1. Know Stuff.
Pastors are supposed to know stuff—Bible, theology, history, leadership, management, etc. Therefore, we have to constantly learn. Best way I know to learn is to read. Pastors who don’t read end up either repeating things over and over or making stuff up.
2. Live Right.
People may or may not listen to our sermons, but they definitely watch how we live. That’s why, in the long run, being a good Christian is way more important than being a good preacher.
3. Preach the Bible.
Seems redundant to say, “Preach the Bible.” What else would a preacher preach? You’d be surprised. I was. I’ve heard “sermons” that hardly mention Jesus or the Bible. Too many sermons have slick power-points but little power and no point. If your pastor does not study and preach the Bible, find another church. And Pastor, if you don’t want to study and preach the Bible, find another job.
4. Be Spiritual.
Pastors do not have to be cool larger-than-life “really, really good looking” type A personalities with toothpaste commercial smiles, but they do have to be spiritual. Not weird, scary, spooky, religious, mystical—spiritual. By spiritual I mean things like loving God, forgiving people, reading and applying the Bible, being a witness to neighbors and baristas.
5. Lead.
Leaders come in all shapes, sizes, volume levels, ages, ethnicities, and accents. If God has called you to be a pastor, then he has also gifted you to lead. If you are not comfortable leading, find a mentor and learn.
Of course, that’s not all a pastor does—throw in some weddings, funerals, baptisms, and county fair appearances—but that’s a good start.
Gotta go read another book, so I will know more stuff, so I can be a better preacher and leader.
***Not sure if this is an apology or an announcement, but . . . new short blog on my accidental missionary site called “Pastor on the Dance Floor” with rare vid footage of Ferdie C and Nuel N doing their thing during a training event for small group leaders. Scary.