The way a Pastor falls into sin…

Pastors have a HUGE spiritual bulls-eye on our backsides! We are targets of the enemy. Strike the shepherd. Scatter the sheep.  That’s the enemy’s strategy.

That’s why, more than ever before, I’m convinced that to protect ourselves as Pastors, we must NUTURE VITALITY. It’s the #1 Best Practice we talk about in  our churchplanters.com ministry and coaching network. To NURTURE, means to care for; pay attention to; attend to; feed…our VITALITY: our spiritual, emotional, spiritual, and relational strength! 

Below is just a simple list of practical ways to keep ourselves from being picked off by the enemy as Pastors. These are simple. But easier to KNOW and PREACH; than DO.  Here are a few (OK, more than a few):

• Read your Bible daily, and read portions of Scripture that have NOTHING to do with this week’s message.
• Take your off day Religiously. Burnout leads to spiritual failure and dropout.
• If you don’t rest, you will burn out. Period. You are not exempt.
• Tell you congregation you will NOT be out more than 2-3 nights a week.
• Keep office hours. Go home at 5 or 5:30 PM. People have to see their doctor, their dentist, their lawyer, and their counselor from 8-5. Spiritual counsel should be no different. You MUST have a life at night with your family.
• Don’t open your laptop after you get home.
• Don’t answer your cell phone after you get home.
• When you walk in the house after work, don’t be on the cell phone.
• Spend less time on Twitter and facebook.  Spend more time communicating with your family.
• Get secure in your own skin. The desire for attention or pleasing people is a flag that will get you in trouble.
• Confess your temptations or addictions to a trusted friend NOT in your church.
• Schedule a date night with you spouse ATLEAST once a month. If you don’t have the money, ask the church to pay for it. (my church doesn’t, BTW) Your church will, though,  if you ask them.
• Tell your congregation that the best gift you have to offer them is NOT a close relationship with every one of  them, but a close relationship with God and a close relationship with your spouse.
• Don’t just talk about ministry with your spouse. Start a hobby TOGETHER!
• Exercise! Flabby body=flabby mind=flabby spirit.
• Take walks with God early in the morning when you can talk out loud to Him and share your hurts, pains, struggles, and dreams.
• Get your spouse out of that ministry they feel tied to because no one else will do it. You’re burning them out.
• Have a family night regularly where you allow your kids to set the agenda.
• Have a hobby you enjoy by yourself.
• Tell your spouse you love them EVERY DAY!
• Speak positively of your spouse from the stage.
• Listen to friends that raise flags about your behavior.
• Don’t ever be in the car, or your office, or ANY PLACE alone with opposite sex with the door shut.  NEVER. NEVER. NEVER.
• Make the above policy for every Pastor on your Team.
• Don’t flirt, including online, or in emails! If you’re flirted with (and you will be), don’t respond, and immediately tell your spouse.
• Think about the consequences of your sin if carried out and found out. Who and how many will get hurt?
• Remember, pride goes before a fall, and you can not stand too close to a fire and not get burned.
• Make Nurturing Vitality the most important part of your job description.

Comments

[Tara]

loved this post, Shawn! thanks for sharing it with us...these are valid and applicable to people in general - even us that aren't pastors... so thank you!

[Kevin Lloyd]

Shawn, thanks for this. I appreciate the practicality of what you've said. I have shared this post with our entire staff.

[Brandon Ingalls]

We all are sinners and fall short of Gods glory. That is why Jesus died on the cross for us. Pastors are not above that, but for some reason they are put on a pedestal. You might be put at a higher standard of sinners but a sinner you still are. You cannot expect a imperfect person to do perfect things all the time. There is a lot of stress put on Pastors that make them fall sometimes but it is still a choice. Which was also given to us by God. (the choice not the sin)

[Will Henderson]

Hey Shawn, Thanks for not just talking about following Jesus in these things but having the guts, discipline and commitment to keep doing it. I've grown so much just sitting under your leadership.

[Mike Watkins]

Thanks, this is a GREAT list!I think that I need to make a poster out of it.

[Bill]

I know you have written this to pastors but it is so true in everyone's life. I try to put into practice all of these in my life but I confess the one I have the most strugle with is to confess my temptations and addictions to a trusted friend. Also that flabby one hits a little too close to home. God is using you and MLC I am so glad that God has given the opportunity to be a small part. Thanks for loving Jesus and setting an example wotrh following!

[rick davis]

The common sense pronouncements in this blog would have helped many a minister remain in the ministry and be productive. Thanks for your work.

[charles hill]

great stuff bro! let's vow to keep these in Jesus Name!