As a new father I have spent a lot of time thinking and praying about what it means to be a husband, father, and a pastor. I attended this year’s Exponential but missed this interview with Bill Hybels and family. Love what they have to share and how they accept some of the busy seasons of ministry (Christmas) but they find balance.
Worth your time.
So I’m a dad. Wow. Isaac James came early this morning at 8 pounds 5 ounces and mom and baby are doing awesome. Here’s a not very good photo of the dude right after he got cleaned up.
Going to be stepping away from my normal blog schedule as I dive head first into fatherhood. In the meantime though we get to hear from some members of this community. These are friends I’ve known for years and those of you I only know from a meetup or through Twitter, but all have incredible things to share. So the common thread for this series isn’t a topic, but the Rookie Pastor community.
A few weeks ago I sent a mass email with a long list topics and I was blown away at the response. If you would like to be included on this project let me know and I’ll be happy to pass along how you can contribute.
As they are posted they will be updated here with the appropriate links.
The Nooma
Interesting to see this as I believe it is one of the first forms of communication I have seen since he left Mars Hill. Yes the video is a little predictable. Clearly intentionally controversial/disruptive. And of course maddeningly difficult to pin down.
But I’m glad I watched it.
Rookie Pastor is about community. When you are new to ministry as a paid staff member, volunteer, point leader or associate role things can be overwhelming. Inexperience usually coupled with youth and a hint of arrogance creates a situation where burnout isn’t just a possibility, it is a likelihood. After many different iterations this has become my secondary calling. To support Rookie Pastors through relationships, writing, and support.
It started with David Norman a friend and the original Rookie Pastor graciously passed on the url to me, and it has been quite a ride.
Above all though in the last year it has been the relationships that have encouraged me the most. I know I’m not going to get rich off Rookie Pastor nor am I trying to quit my day job in ministry, but I am called to support other pastors. This I know but when I doubt the personal messages through social media, email, or in person are the encouragement I really value.
Thanks for an awesome year.
David Kinnaman is someone you need to listen to, and I would like to give you a copy of his latest book.
His first book unChristian
Through the generosity of Baker Books we are giving away 5 copies of You Lost Me to the Rookie Pastor community.
Before I tell you how to win one of the copies you should watch this video about the book.
To enter to win all you have to do is help get the word out:
The contest will come to a close Friday (7/6) at 10pm EST.
Turning into an infographic weekend.
Excellent report on millennials and their views towards non-profits. The entire report is worth your time, but the headlines are that millennials:
Click for larger image
What do you do when you don’t want to do ministry?
My own struggle with identity and anxiety has created numerous times when I didn’t feel like being a pastor. For me the rut is always full of apathy.
As pastors we will have varying degrees of darkness in our life. Sometimes this darkness requires the help of professionals to help you return to balance. In these moments ministry isn’t very feasible. Most of the time the rut is a milder form of darkness that holds us back but force us to step away from ministry for a time.
When we are in this rut our responsibilities don’t cease. So we have to find ways to get out of the rut. Here’s what I’ve done before.
I know you have your own ruts in ministry, how do you get out of them?
We all are at different stages. StJohn Gill takes a look at a stage of being in between and shares some great advice on navigating it. Below is an excerpt of a great post from his blog.
I am a pre-rookie. I’m sure many of you are in the same place as me. I’m not paid to be a pastor, rookie or otherwise; yet I find myself under many of the same stresses as a rookie pastor. I don’t want to be a pre-rookie forever, but I’m lucky to be supported by a team that loves growing young people and one important piece of advice they have given me and that I have found truer and truer as time goes on is: “Don’t rush it”.
I know what its like. You’re hearing from God and boy are you stoked to just get it happening. That’s awesome. Get it happening. Get involved. Do whatever is necessary. Are you ready to be titled a pastor? Maybe not.
Read the rest of the post here.
Man Weekend.
That’s what my wife calls it.
Sometime in April I’ll get an email from one of my friends addressed to me and about 10 other guys. Ideas will be exchanged, dates set, and excitement builds for another weekend spent with some forever friends.
Ministry doesn’t lend itself to forever friends.
It is hard to get close to people on a truly friend level when you are their pastor. It shouldn’t be difficult but we all know that life long friends are hard to find when you pastor them.
You might have better luck with other pastors. Perhaps in an ideal world you are always sending your best staff person to start something new for the Kingdom. Realistically we know that this ideal happens but people move on for any number of reasons from the understandable to the heartbreaking.
Or perhaps it is you. Rooted long-term ministry is something I desire, but I understand why it is less and less common.
We need forever friends.
Friends who knew us before. Friends who won’t take our cliches. Friends that force us to be ourselves.
If you don’t have a standing tradition of connecting with forever friends create one.
Traditions usually make a Rookie Pastor’s stomach turn, but some traditions you need.
Tonight I’ll be eating junk food, playing poker, and talking about things I can’t share here or on a Sunday morning.
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