I've been in church for many years. My late father, Rev. Gary Ingram, was a pastor and I learned a lot about the influence of leadership roles of pastors within their congregations. I've seen some great pastors, and of course I've seen some not so great pastors, and this has led me to write this blog. It's entitled "THE TEN RULES TO BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL PASTOR". Now I'm sure that there are many more rules to being a pastor then what I'm going to share, but these are the rules that the Lord shared with me over the years. So I hope they will benefit you, or maybe someone you know who has been called to the office of being a pastor.
1. Never become untouchable. Though Jesus' twelve were watchful over Him, He still made Himself available to the people at various times. Remember you are a pastor, not a superstar.
2. Be a serious student of the Word of God. You will be suprised of how many pastors quote scriptures out of context, and preach the same stuff week after week. The Holy Spirit, I believe, can't give you fresh revelation without you studying the Word of God on a regular basis.
3. Never put your ministry before GOD. Believe it or not, most of the tragic stories you've read about and heard concerning divorces or abuse from major ministry figures were, I believe, a direct result of placing ministry before the Lord. Remember ministry is meant to help people, it is not a "career". It's a calling". God has said "I WILL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME"
4. Never put ministry before your family. Now, if you want to be really respected by your family, be there for them, spend time with them, make sure that their needs are being provided.
5. Be an example to your family. You know, it amazes me of how many PKs live like the Devil. Most of the time it's because pastors (let me keep it real), don't live the life that they preach about. They are one way at home, and another way at church. "Hypocrites," all I can say is get healed. Maybe your parents were the same way, so I plead with you get healed. Surrender everything to the Lord so that you can be whole outside of the church-and inside of the church. Your family is your most important congregation. If a man can't take care of his own home, he's worse than a sinner !!!
6. Never verbally abuse your congregation. I've actually sat in churches and heard pastors verbally abuse their congregation and clergy under them for various reasons. Some of the reasons were actually the pastor's fault. Pastors/future pastors are human and we all have faults. Watch how you address the sheep that the Lord has placed under you to shepherd. Mistreatment of the sheep can cause them to stumble or backslide, and then GOD will hold you responsible. Visitors don't need to hear your branch of Zion's business.
7. Stay open to new technology. One of the things that will cause your church to grow, not only in numbers but spiritually, is the use of technology. Create a website, utilize the newest equipment for worship, change the format of the church programs and provide space in the church programs for the congregation to take notes. Always be open to preaching sermon series. It brings a spirit of consistency. Now take note: The Holy Spirit can still operate in this format if you allow Him.
8. Don't play favorites. One of the things I've noticed, especially about some well known ministries/pastors, is that they are quick to tell somebody who may have gotten saved two years ago that they aren't ready to preach. Even though that person may show clear evidence that they are called by GOD for ministry, the same ministry/pastor will let a celebrity who may just have gotten saved two seconds ago, become a pastor under their ministry. The Bible teaches that a pastor/leader shouldn't be a novice, yet they ignore that simply because the person is a celebrity. Be careful if that celebrity falls away. This could damage alot of people.
9. Be accountable. It is extremely important that you grasp this concept fore this could save your ministry, your reputation, and even your life. God established the law of accountability and mentorship. Every minister/pastor needs someone they can confide in, confess their weaknesses, struggles, successes, and depend on them for guidance and support . They need to be told when they are going in the right path or the wrong path. A lot of bad choices and stumbles could have been avoided if accountability and mentorship had been in place. I know some of us are so spiritual that we don't really need it. And if that's what you think, that's the first sign showing that you need it. No one can make it alone. We all need somebody to lean on.
10. Breed Leaders. Raise up men and women in your congregation to be leaders not just within the congregation. No, don't stop there. But raise them up to be "WORLD CHANGERS" TV PERSONALITIES, AUTHORS, RECORDING ARTISTS, even world renown PASTORS and TEACHERS. Raise up people who will make not only an impact in their local communities, but in communities all over the world.
So there you have it, "THE TEN RULES TO BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL PASTOR". I pray that this blog will encourage those who are already pastors, or if you are called to be one, or maybe you know somebody that this might help. At any rate I hope whoever reads this blog will be blessed. Please excuse the grammatical mistakes, or if this blog was a little critical. I'm still working on expressions, so do pray for me.
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU RICHLY,
JAMAL INGRAM aka THE PROFESSOR
1. Never become untouchable. Though Jesus' twelve were watchful over Him, He still made Himself available to the people at various times. Remember you are a pastor, not a superstar.
2. Be a serious student of the Word of God. You will be suprised of how many pastors quote scriptures out of context, and preach the same stuff week after week. The Holy Spirit, I believe, can't give you fresh revelation without you studying the Word of God on a regular basis.
3. Never put your ministry before GOD. Believe it or not, most of the tragic stories you've read about and heard concerning divorces or abuse from major ministry figures were, I believe, a direct result of placing ministry before the Lord. Remember ministry is meant to help people, it is not a "career". It's a calling". God has said "I WILL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME"
4. Never put ministry before your family. Now, if you want to be really respected by your family, be there for them, spend time with them, make sure that their needs are being provided.
5. Be an example to your family. You know, it amazes me of how many PKs live like the Devil. Most of the time it's because pastors (let me keep it real), don't live the life that they preach about. They are one way at home, and another way at church. "Hypocrites," all I can say is get healed. Maybe your parents were the same way, so I plead with you get healed. Surrender everything to the Lord so that you can be whole outside of the church-and inside of the church. Your family is your most important congregation. If a man can't take care of his own home, he's worse than a sinner !!!
6. Never verbally abuse your congregation. I've actually sat in churches and heard pastors verbally abuse their congregation and clergy under them for various reasons. Some of the reasons were actually the pastor's fault. Pastors/future pastors are human and we all have faults. Watch how you address the sheep that the Lord has placed under you to shepherd. Mistreatment of the sheep can cause them to stumble or backslide, and then GOD will hold you responsible. Visitors don't need to hear your branch of Zion's business.
7. Stay open to new technology. One of the things that will cause your church to grow, not only in numbers but spiritually, is the use of technology. Create a website, utilize the newest equipment for worship, change the format of the church programs and provide space in the church programs for the congregation to take notes. Always be open to preaching sermon series. It brings a spirit of consistency. Now take note: The Holy Spirit can still operate in this format if you allow Him.
8. Don't play favorites. One of the things I've noticed, especially about some well known ministries/pastors, is that they are quick to tell somebody who may have gotten saved two years ago that they aren't ready to preach. Even though that person may show clear evidence that they are called by GOD for ministry, the same ministry/pastor will let a celebrity who may just have gotten saved two seconds ago, become a pastor under their ministry. The Bible teaches that a pastor/leader shouldn't be a novice, yet they ignore that simply because the person is a celebrity. Be careful if that celebrity falls away. This could damage alot of people.
9. Be accountable. It is extremely important that you grasp this concept fore this could save your ministry, your reputation, and even your life. God established the law of accountability and mentorship. Every minister/pastor needs someone they can confide in, confess their weaknesses, struggles, successes, and depend on them for guidance and support . They need to be told when they are going in the right path or the wrong path. A lot of bad choices and stumbles could have been avoided if accountability and mentorship had been in place. I know some of us are so spiritual that we don't really need it. And if that's what you think, that's the first sign showing that you need it. No one can make it alone. We all need somebody to lean on.
10. Breed Leaders. Raise up men and women in your congregation to be leaders not just within the congregation. No, don't stop there. But raise them up to be "WORLD CHANGERS" TV PERSONALITIES, AUTHORS, RECORDING ARTISTS, even world renown PASTORS and TEACHERS. Raise up people who will make not only an impact in their local communities, but in communities all over the world.
So there you have it, "THE TEN RULES TO BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL PASTOR". I pray that this blog will encourage those who are already pastors, or if you are called to be one, or maybe you know somebody that this might help. At any rate I hope whoever reads this blog will be blessed. Please excuse the grammatical mistakes, or if this blog was a little critical. I'm still working on expressions, so do pray for me.
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU RICHLY,
JAMAL INGRAM aka THE PROFESSOR
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