tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253529165034405240.post-17711041450101563512008-04-26T23:20:00.000-04:002008-04-26T23:20:00.000-04:002008-04-26T23:20:00.000-04:00These suggested "landmines" come from a lay person. I'm not in ministry, but my husband has served as an elder and both of us have held various "leadership" roles within the church over the past ten years.<BR/><BR/>1) Surrounding yourself only with people who agree with everything you say, think or do. You need someone to tell you you're acting like a schmuck if you are, in fact, acting like one. Don't hand pick your elders and deacons and then pretend that you've actually got some accountibility.<BR/>2) Being impressed by money to the point where you're hesitant to confront or counsel a member because you're afraid to lose financial support.<BR/>3) Spending too much time with staff and other pastors. Don't preach about living in community with one another then excuse yourself from being part of a small group. You lose all credibility. Actually, if you only spend time with staff and other pastors, you probably should just get out of ministry all together because you're not ministering to anyone. You're just giving a 30 minute speech once a week.<BR/>4) This one's the biggie on my list: Trying to grow a church. That's not your job. Your job is to cultivate the proper environment so that GOD can grow it. I know that sounds good, but do you really believe that? Not all churches can be megachurches. If God were to speak to your heart and tell you that He wanted a body of 200 people or less who are fully devoted disciples, are you going to be okay with that? As Grandmaster Megachurch Pastor Rick Warren says, "It's not about you."<BR/>And finally,<BR/>5) Not making your wife and family your first and most important ministry.<BR/><BR/>I've been deeply involved in a handful of ministries over the past 10 years. In all that time, the only one I felt brought me closer and more connected to God was the praise/worship team. It wasn't the role of the team that drew me in, it was the leadership. This pastor has since left the church, went back to school, and I am happy to say is on the verge of planting a new church. He and his wife make me want to be more like Jesus. They had a cordial relationship with the rest of the staff, but never really fit the "role". In other words, they're freaks like me! And I would crawl across broken glass naked in a snowstorm for them.katdishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09210738418270395622noreply@blogger.com