Today (my day off, when I do most of my blog-reading and blog writing for the week) I cam across two little gems on doing pastoral ministry — and one for you, the pastor’s audience. I found all three at a site called CHURCH MATTERS, run by the 9Marks ministry of Mark Dever.

Gem #1 for Pastors
The keys to an effective pastorate (normally):
Preach and Pray, Love and Stay.
(by Michael Mckinley)

Gem #2 for Pastors (young and older, I hope):
Young men tend to overestimate how much they can accomplish in the short term, but underestimate how much they can accomplish in the long term.
(from an older saint, reported by Michael Mckinley)

Gem #3 for you….
Few things are more discouraging or dishonoring to such men than a congregation inattentive to the Word of God. Faithful men flourish at the fertile reception of the preached Word. They’re made all the more bold when their people give ear to the Lord’s voice and give evidence of being shaped by it. As church members, we can care for our pastors and teacher and help to prevent unnecessary discouragement and fatigue by cultivating the habit of expositional listening.
(from Thabiti Anyabwile’s book What Is a Healthy Church Member?)

Let’s all keep the main things in the right place.
pdb