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Dear Young Pastor

Dear Young Pastor, Tokyo

I have always been a big believer that one of the greatest roles of an experienced or older pastor is to empower young pastors and leaders. In this blog we are going to look at 4 simple things Paul, an older pastor, imparted to Timothy, a young pastor.

2 Tim 4:5 (NIV)
5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

1. Focus

Young leaders can be tempted to try and do everything. Most young leaders are appointed because they are fruitful in some area and can get things done. However if you as the leader of a Church, team or department continue to do everything, you will be placing a lid over what you lead. Leaders must learn to identify the most important things that they and only them can do as the leader. Then they must delegate the other roles and lead. I’ve found that there is always someone who would love to do the jobs I hate.

 

2. Endure Hardship

I am confident that choosing to live a life totally set aside for God is the best life we can choose to live. I also know that it isn’t the easiest life. If living big for God was was easy, many more people would be doing it. Living sold out for God will take sacrifces and will lead to trials and tough times . The sooner a young leader learns this the better. When hardship comes you need to decide what you are going to do – hold onto God and what he has called you to do, or go back and choose another way to live.

 

3. Work of an Evangelist

It is believed at this time that Ephesus was a BIG church, around 20,000 members. Still Paul was instructing Timothy – don’t lose your heart for reaching out to people. I want all of my young leaders to stay on the front line of winning people to Jesus. This keeps us fresh and raw in a good way. This help keeps our heart at the core of our mission, loving God and love people. We never ‘graduate’ from reaching people or being hands off with people.

 

4. Fulfill Your ministry

As a young leader it’s important to do first and foremost what you have been appointed to do. Someone once said never try to go the second mile before going the first mile. I am impressed when my young leaders are fruitful in what I have asked them to do. So as a young leader don’t get distracted and spend your time doing something that you haven’t been asked to do. Do what you have been entrusted to do, then look to that second mile.

I hope this has helped you who are young leaders out there. I also pray that it would inspire you who are older or more experienced pastors to look towards who you are instructing. Are you, as Paul did, building and inspiring young leaders?

 

Comments 1

  1. 若い牧師としていつも受け取って運んでいきたい。
    若いリーダーのみんなもこれを受け取ってほしい。

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