The Flourishing Pastor by Tom Nelson

Author:Tom Nelson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Made to Flourish;pastoral ministry;spiritual practices for pastors;pastoral discipleship;discipling pastors;discipling leaders;pastoral development;leadership development;Christ and culture;church leadership;ministry burnout;ministry resilience;pastoral burnout;preventing ministry burnout;ministry training resource;ministry training;pastoral leadership;mentoring pastors;sustainable ministry;church planting;pastoral care;church leadership;discipleship;spiritual formation pastors
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Published: 2021-09-08T11:43:51+00:00

FOUR PRACTICES OF FAITHFUL PRESENCE

Max DePree insightfully reminds us that effective leadership is not about following a list of things to do, but artful practices indwelled and modeled to others over time. DePree writes, “Leadership is much more an art, a belief, a condition of the heart, than a set of things to do. The visible signs of artful leadership are expressed ultimately in its practice.”27 I have observed four consistent and enduring lifestyle practices of skillful pastoral leaders who day in and day out artfully indwell a faithful presence. These indwelled practices aim for longevity; embrace a kingdom mindset; build enduring institutions; and promote truth, goodness, and beauty.

Aim for longevity. When my wife, Liz, and I moved from Dallas to Kansas City to begin Christ Community Church, we embraced a calling, not a career. We were unwavering in our commitment that our local faith community would not be a career steppingstone, rather it would be a long-term commitment. As pioneer church planters, we stepped out in faith not knowing what lay ahead but having a long-term view. We didn’t know much, but what we did know was that God was calling us to a particular place for the long haul. While “bigger and better” opportunities would come over the years, our strong calling tethering us to a particular place and people has proved wise and brought to our grateful hearts a sense of deep joy. Aiming for longevity was a guiding perspective and an embodied practice informing all aspects of our life and work. Longevity has allowed us to deepen in our own spiritual formation, to truly know and be deeply known by a faith community, as well as to experience the joy of fruitfulness that comes with time.

James Hunter paints a compelling picture of the goodness of longevity of calling to a people and a place.

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