7 Ministry Insights Pastors Wish They’d Known Sooner

Seasoned pastors looked back at their early years in the church and considered ministry insights they wished they had known when they began.

By C.C. Allen 

They’ve resumed Wednesday Bible Study, outlined meeting notes for the next deacon’s meeting, obtained estimates for building repairs, practiced guitar for the WMU’s Valentine’s dinner, chaperoned the annual overnight youth group ski trip, and updated the church website. But they forgot the most important task that could have been on their calendars: guarding their time with the Lord.

Insights from the 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study revealed that personal spiritual development takes a back seat to ministry obligations as pastors struggle to take time for themselves.

More than 2 in 3 pastors report the need to invest in personal prayer (72%), fellowship with others (69%), reading the Bible outside of sermon research (68%), and trusting God (66%). And young pastors in particular struggle with areas concerning personal spiritual growth.

Some seasoned pastors looked back at their early years in the church and considered what they wished they had known when they began pastoring. With younger pastors in mind, these leaders shared their insights about the following eight ministry areas:

1. Pursuing personal development

Pastors, be ruthless about your commitment to personal prayer and devotion to the Lord. Proverbs says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life” (Proverbs 4:23, CSB).

Jesus incessantly practiced this by meeting with His Father and praying, preventing the rest of His schedule from getting out of hand. Mark 1:35 says Jesus woke up early and sought a solitary place to pray. He pursued His prayer life even after a long day of preaching, healing, socializing, and casting out demons. The Spirit empowered Him to keep up a hectic schedule in order to meet the needs of those around Him.

Beware: Where you seek your self-worth dictates how much unnecessary overtime you do.

2. Seeking God’s supernatural power

God grants the pastor authority when preaching from His Word, but that comes through consistent personal prayer and devotion. Mark 1:21-22 tells us about Jesus entering the synagogue to preach in Capernaum. Those in attendance “were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority and not like the scribes” (Mark 1:22, CSB).

As you draw on the power of the Holy Spirit, it becomes easier to avoid finding self-worth in your congregation or their opinions of you. In a letter to the church in Corinth, Paul reminds his readers he didn’t preach or speak because he enjoyed it. He did it because he knew nothing else.

“As you draw on the power of the Holy Spirit, it becomes easier to avoid finding self-worth in your congregation or their opinions of you.” Share on X

Remember why you felt compelled to enter the ministry and follow Paul’s example. He said, “I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:3-5, CSB).

3. Seeing with Spirit eyes

While Jesus preached in the synagogue in Capernaum, there was a man in attendance who was possessed by demons (Mark 1:23-26). Jesus had the supernatural ability to see beneath the surface circumstances and remedy the actual problem.

You may not have demon–possessed church members. But often, the problems congregants bring to you are only symptoms of their real issues. The Holy Spirit empowers you to see their needs with Spirit eyes and minister accordingly.

This same spiritual vision equips you to plan ministries that suit your entire congregation and not just your personal interests. With these insights, you can move unimportant issues to the back pew and focus on what’s vital.

4. Retaining energy to serve others

After Jesus preached in Capernaum, He and several of His disciples headed over to Simon and Andrew’s house. Simon’s mother–in–law was “lying in bed with a fever,” and Jesus healed her (Mark 1:30-31). She served them and shortly after, the whole city stood outside her door along with their sick and demon–possessed loved ones. Jesus healed many and cast out many demons after a day of preaching, healing, and socializing.

“As a pastor, you will need supernatural energy to shepherd your church and all who come to you.” Share on X

As a pastor, you will need supernatural energy to shepherd your church and all who come to you. Occasions will arise when you’ll be expected to socialize with families in their homes or at restaurants after a long day of preaching and teaching. It is possible to carry out this hectic schedule when God calls you to, enabling your Spirit ears and eyes to continue observing and conversing with the love and patience of Christ.

5. Juggling family obligations

Rely on the Holy Spirit to heighten your awareness of the “little foxes” that interrupt your family’s priorities. Set boundaries early on and commit to them. These could include leaving the office on time, eating dinner with the family, honoring your scheduled day off, and discerning between church emergencies and things that can wait until the next day.

6. Acquiring a mentor

As you grow in ministry, the need to proactively seek out mentors and advisors only increases. Looking back, pastors see they typically had to seek out mentors. Don’t fear calling an older pastor you met and asking for a lunch meeting or a quick cup of coffee at breakfast. If your personalities don’t blend, move on and seek out another.

You doubly strengthen your leadership skills by leading yourself to those with wisdom and gleaning insights from those who commit to walking beside you in ministry. Cultivate your friendships outside of your church by using a variety of avenues and interests. Remember that we are all image-bearers. And God has something to teach you through cross-pollination of career disciplines, hobbies, and special interests.

7. Handling the church budget

If your skills in business management lack strength, ask God to show you people gifted with business prowess to guide you in meetings and assist with budget balancing and financial questions. No one expects their pastor to have strength in every facet of church management.

8. Navigating politics

Concerning politics, earnestly pray for the Holy Spirit to do the restraining work that only He can do. Commit to preaching justice for all people, respect for all ethnicities, the sanctity of life, and God’s plan for marriage. But remember that the primary need of each person in the world is a relationship with Christ. Always bring the focus back to Jesus.

When you speak with an experienced pastor, chances are they will share with you some mistakes they’ve made and skills they wish they would’ve developed sooner. Learn from those who’ve traveled the path before you.

For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.