Common Mistakes Pastors Make Common mistakes that pastors

Common Mistakes Pastors Make “Common mistakes that pastors make and how to avoid them. ”

I. There is good news and bad news. A. The bad news is that mistakes are inevitable. 1. There is no such thing as a perfect pastor. 2. No matter who you are, you will make mistakes.

B. The good news is that mistakes can be minimized.

II. There are some common mistakes that pastors make. A. Mistake #1 - Setting in Leadership Too Soon 1. Too soon in the development of the church. Paul waited 2 -5 years before ordaining his first elders.

a. It is good to want elders and work toward the biblical pattern. b. It is folly to put in elders before they are trained, before their loyalty is tested, before their philosophy is shaped, and before their ministry is proven. c. It is good to identify apostolically with some ministries who can serve as a covering until local elders are raised up. d. It is folly to accept the pressure of incorporation.

2. Too soon in their life in the church. Leaders that come in from the outside can hurt you a lot if:

a. You put them into position and allow them to run with their vision before their loyalty and servant-spirit is tested. b. You have not had an opportunity to indoctrinate them in your ministry philosophy. c. You have not taken the time to build a personal, pastoral relationship with them.

3. You must learn to give authority slowly, because you cannot get it back easily.

B. Mistake #2 - Changing Too Much Too Soon 1. The problem can be with the pastor or leader. a. Many pastors begin with a great vision for their ministry and the type of church that they want to produce.

b. Many pastors want to get to their destination as quickly as possible. c. Many pastors fail to lay the proper groundwork for making those changes. d. Many pastors make too many changes in a short amount of time.

e. Many pastors, therefore, lose people over each change that they make. f. In such a situation the pastor can develop a bad attitude toward the people.

2. The problem can be in the people. a. People tend to love the “good old days” or tradition, and are prone to resist any change. b. People cannot change as fast as their leaders are able to change. c. Noble people must be thoroughly convinced from the Scriptures that change is called for.

3. The pastor/people problems can be brought into a place of balance. a. Make sure all changes are carefully thought out and clearly confirmed to be the will of God. b. Make sure you properly prepare the ground to plant the seeds of change.

c. Make sure that you clearly write, spell out and communicate the vision before you implement it. d. Be patient with people in the changing process. e. Only focus on one change at a time. f. Get a vision for the long term, not just the immediate.

C. Mistake #3 – The Pastor Not Fully Committing to the Flock 1. Evidences of a problem a. Not loving the people more than your own ministry. b. Moving from place to place in ministry or running out when things get difficult.

c. Keeping other options open at all times. d. Not developing close relationships but maintaining aloofness. e. Not committing to the people regardless of what the future holds. f. f. Using threats to leave as a means of manipulation.

2. Some solutions to the problem a. Let the people know of your love to them in verbal expressions of love and commitment.

b. Plan to build for the long haul and reap fruit in your old age. c. Put your roots down and develop a love for your city. d. Never threaten your people with abandonment. e. Burn your bridges behind you and close the fire escape.

D. Mistake #4 -- Using Gimmicks to Build the Church 1. The problem stems from a desire for growth. a. We see certain things bringing the crowds in other people’s ministries. b. We like the idea of crowds. c. We will identify with an emphasis to get the crowds.

2. The solution a. Do not make numerical growth alone the goal. b. Trust the basics, they still work. c. Visualize an oak tree rather than a mushroom. d. Serve a balanced diet. e. Disciple people through long-term relationships.

E. Mistake #5 -- Demanding Submission to Authority 1. Problem Young ministries see the respect that people had for leaders in the sending church and they attempt to gain that same respect for themselves by teaching and demanding submission.

2. Solution Practice things that bring authority. a. Providing an example for people to follow. b. Submitting to authority in your own life.

c. Holding up a clear vision before the people. d. Demonstrating your love for the people in practical ways. e. Making careful and wise decisions. f. Feeding the people with green grass. g. Spending time in the presence of God.

F. Mistake #6 - Financial Mismanagement 1. Problems a. Getting over your head in debt as a church or in personal areas b. Borrowing from members of the congregation

c. No effective budgeting of church finances d. Not keeping accurate books e. Not counting the offering in a wise way f. Not being accountable for financial decisions

2. Solutions a. Learn to live within your means and look to God to supply. b. Never borrow from church members. c. Get help putting a realistic budget together and live within it. d. Have someone else keep the books and have a regular audit.

e. Have two or three others count the offering and fill out deposit slips. f. Confer with other leaders about nonbudgeted items. g. Establish spending limits for yourself. h. Require two approved signatures for church checks.

G. Mistake #7 - Talking Too Much 1. Problem: Telling one leader about a weakness or deficiency in another leader 2. Solution: Keep confidential matters confidential.

H. Mistake #8 - Not Admitting Mistakes When We Make Them 2. Pastors who never admit their mistakes will also lose credibility for a couple of reasons: a. The pastor’s mistakes are obvious despite every attempt to conceal them. b. The pastor who hides his mistakes is destined to make them again.

3. Pastors who can properly acknowledge their mistakes will teach their people how to do the same.

III. There are things that we can do to minimize mistakes. A. Do not make decisions alone. B. Draw from the experiences of others. C. Learn from your own mistakes. D. Be sure you hear a matter before you judge it.

E. Go slow when making changes. F. Stay humble and teachable. G. Wait on God for decisions. H. Keep your vision and goal in sight.

IV. There are things we can do to undo past mistakes. The best way to undo mistakes is to do three things: A. Admit them. B. Learn from them. C. Move on from them.