Lessons I Learned from the School of Local Church Ministry

We just kicked off our ministry training two weeks ago and so far it had been a blast. Today, Pastor Jun Escosar was our lecturer. Here are five ministry lessons I learned from the School of Local Church Ministry so far:

I Need to Grow in Character

In the ministry, character is prized over giftedness. If you plan to last in this line of work, you need to grow in your character. Education is not enough. Talents are not enough. Connections are not enough. This is not a question of whether you are really called or not. That issue should have been resolved before coming to the School of Local Church Ministry. You can be truly gifted and truly called and still fail if your character doesn’t match your spiritual gifting.

The Goal is to Finish Strong

Pastor Jun mentioned Steve Farrar’s book Finishing Strong. I read that book several years ago and the single most vivid picture that I got from it was Farrar’s list of seminary classmates written at the back of his Bible. Over the course of 25 years, he crossed out most of their names as one by one they fell away from the ministry. It was a sobering read. After I read that book, I started praying for God’s grace to carry me until my very last breath. The goal is not just to get started in the ministry. I want to finish well and finish strong.

I Need to Keep Making Disciples

Pastor Jun advised: do not be in a situation where you are not investing in the lives of at least five to ten people. The ministry is often tricky. You could be pulled to a hundred different directions if you are not very intentional about discipleship. I think I’ve seen enough ministry leaders who are simply too busy doing everything else except in investing in the lives of the next generation.

Learn to Focus on One Thing

One other lesson I learned is that I need to focus in an area of ministry where I excel. I think that’s a wise but difficult advice. It’s wise because with all the things that need to be done, young ministers need to recognize their areas of strength and give that ministry their best efforts. It is difficult because young ministers have to start in a generic role before they get to the point of specializing in their areas of strength.

Embrace this Window of Grace

Pastor Jun talked about dealing with personal issues while we are still in school. In the next few months, we will bury ourselves deep in study and training for the ministries we would be doing in the next decade. This is the perfect time to come out and confess hidden sins while we still have no reputations to protect.