12 Things I Have Learned About Ministry

by Pastor Bob Dealey

1.Live out the gospel. Learn to love and forgive people.

2.Be a shepherd to all; don’t play favorites.

3.Reach out and include new people.

4.Communicate openly, honestly and frequently, so everyone understands what is happening and why.

5.Help people to understand and fulfill their ministry. Each baptized person is a member of the “priesthood of all believers”.

6.Listen with sensitivity and compassion. People want and need to be heard.

7.Do not betray confidences. This is the surest way to destroy people’s trust in you.

8.Lead by example. The congregation will not follow leaders who “talk the talk”, but do not “walk the walk”.

9.Cast an inspiring, unifying vision of God’s desire for the congregation and its ministry. People will give generously to support BIG visions; they will not support little or meaningless visions.

10.Recruit people who are committed to fulfilling God’s mission. People who lack commitment will not support God’s mission.

11.Help people to name and claim their God-given gifts. God gives every person gifts for ministry. Help people to identify and use their gifts in the fulfillment of ministry.

12.Teach people how to grow in their faith—be it spiritually, intellectually, and/or emotionally. People who are not growing in their faith are “losing ground”.

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You may contact Pastor Dealey at the church, (815) 838-0708 or by e-mail at rtdealey@sbcglobal.net .