Last week I addressed over 60 megachurch preachers in San Diego. I was asked to look back over my 40 year ministry at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville Kentucky and discuss what I’d do differently and what I would repeat if I had the chance to do it again. I compiled a long list and then condensed it to ten in both categories. In my talk I discussed only seven under both headings because of time limits. But here’s the original list.
WHAT I’D DO DIFFERENTLY
1. Develop a Junior High preacher’s club to recruit future ministers
2. Watch less TV at night and do more recreational reading
3. Find ways to get more input from mature members of the congregation and not be as dependent on input from the church staff
4. Preach more expository sermons and fewer brief, topical series
5. Be kinder, more attentive and more animated with my wife
6. Stay more closely involved with the missions committee
7. Never again attempt to cover over a staff moral failure
8. Be quicker to release staff members who were underperforming or undermining morale because of a poor attitude
9. Avoid comparing statistics and competing with other churches
10. Be more generous with people in addition to tithing to the church
WHAT I’D DO THE SAME WAY
1. Quickly develop a love for my hometown
2. Make preparation for preaching a weekly priority
3. Cultivate a good relationship with the elders
4. Make the necessary adjustments to cope with the pressures of ministering to a large church
5. Maintain the primary focus of appealing to men
6. Give attention to each person regardless of perceived status
7. Stay with what works and not get caught up in the latest religious fads
8. Build a big building
9. Stay involved in brotherhood activities
10. Avoid getting caught up in the “celebrity mentality”
If I could do it again, I’d stay in one place for 40 years and then step aside at age 62. However, not every pastor is blessed with such a fertile field as I was at Southeast Christian Church. Not every pastor is blessed with supportive and generous elders. Not every pastor is blessed with talented, Godly men like Dave Stone and Kyle Idleman waiting in the wings to receive the baton of leadership.
The Lord has done “immeasurably more than I could have asked or imagined” in my life and I am most grateful for His goodness. I enjoyed my ministry but frankly I don’t want to do it again. I like where I am right now… plus, I’m a lot closer to home.
