Practical Pastoring: More on Ordination Book Five

In Book Five I continue to share Pastor Dan’s update letters to give you some insight into possible family issues you may face as you obey the Holy Spirit. Dan and Judy’s children wound up in three different schools in one semester. I know that God’s grace is sufficient, but I want to point out the cost that your family will have to bear as you say yes to God. Don’t worry; His plans are for good for your wife and children, as well as for you. However, there is a significant cost to saying yes to God. He will be a debtor to no one. We are His servants, but I want you to count the cost.

Your wife will also bear the cost of your saying yes to God. Uprooting your family is not easy, especially when your children are in school. Remember your priorities-God, spouse, kids, and job. Do not let the ministry ruin your relationship with your spouse and children. If the devil cannot discourage you, he will attempt to go after your family.

Continue to submit to God and resist the devil. Even in the midst of change and potential turmoil, develop a plan for each day. Allow the Holy Spirit to adjust the daily plan but develop some order in your life during the difficult seasons. Structure will help you be more productive in your ministry efforts.

When Karrie and I were first married, she cut her hand on glass and had to receive medical treatment. At the time, my father-in-law assured us that we would go through many such events in our lives. Again, just because you are a pastor does not mean you get a free pass on the problems and trials of life. You will have trouble, but through the power of the Holy Spirit working in your life you will overcome.

I was ordained to the governmental role of a pastor. Pastor Dan had left Havre to pastor in Minnesota. Along the way, circumstances changed. Now Dan was beginning to walk much more than ever before in an apostolic calling.

People accept pastors, teachers, and evangelists far easier than they do apostles and prophets. God is restoring these offices, but it is taking time for the church to get a revelation of the fivefold ministry in Ephesians.

God’s shutting the door on the pastoral position for Dan appeared to open the door for his apostolic work. In fact, two decades later, he is the leader of Ascension fellowship International in the United States.

God continues to have a call for Pastor Dan and for each of us. Walking out our callings in life is the challenge. God is able to do more than any of us can ask or think. He chooses to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit operating in each of our lives.

During this trial in Dan and Judy’s life, I flew to Minnesota for a visit. Dan had still continued to mentor me even though we were a thousand miles apart. I am not the most perceptive person but I noticed that there were no pictures hanging on the walls of their new home. The mood was less than upbeat. Life had kicked my friends in the shins. They were feeling the sting of the blow.

In his update letter, Dan mentioned that God was perfecting the saints. This ongoing effort on God’s part may look differently in each of our lives. At times God disciplines those He loves. At other times He blesses us to the extent that we must guard our hearts so as not to become prideful.

God knows what is in our hearts. He tests us so that we might realize what is in us. The testing continues throughout our lives.

There will be many times in your ministry when you do not feel like doing certain things. As a pastor, you are wired differently than an evangelist. Travel may not be to your liking or fit your situation. Karrie and I have had to make decisions about my travel schedule over the course of my ministry.

Years ago, I had an opportunity to travel to Africa with some of the AFI team. After careful consideration we decided I was not supposed to go on the trip. God pays for what He ordains. No soldier serves at his own expense. Do not get so excited about ministry opportunities that you forget to take time to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. I have never regretted not going to Africa.

You will have to wrestle with the direction your ministry takes over the course of your life. Pastor Dan currently pastors a church in Bozeman, Montana, and serves as the leader of the AFI team. You may pastor your entire life and never change locations.

God has the perfect plan for each of us. It is our job to seek Him and obey when He speaks. When there is a time of silence, keep doing the last thing God told you. If you always do the next right thing, you will be okay even if circumstances change.

Kevin Barsotti

Ark Church

This article is part of Practical Pastoring: Mentoring Growth Letters from a Senior Pastor to a New Pastor, Book Five. The author responds to his pastor’s letters to him from twenty years ago when he began his pastoral journey.