7 Steps to Grow as a Pastor

I have been a pastor for approximately twenty-five years. Over that time, I have tried to grow as a pastor and I hope to continue to grow for as long as I’m active as a pastor.

Growth does not just happen by itself, at least not positive growth. There are things that we can do to promote health growth for us as pastors. Here are seven steps. They are not necessarily sequential steps but seven ways to grow.

1. Invest in your own discipleship. Pastors are dedicated to discipling others, but we need to grow as disciples. Look for the areas in which you need development and invest in those areas.
2. Cultivate your love for God. This is not exactly the same as growing as a disciple, although there is overlap. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God. Don’t lose your love in the busyness of ministry.
3. Seek to be a student rather than a critic. It is not always wrong to criticize a position or a view, but remaining in the posture of a critic can lead to cynicism. What if we focused on the posture of being a student and sought to learn from those we disagree with.
4. Surround yourself with encouragers. I don’t mean an echo chamber who will just confirm whatever you want to do. Find people who will honestly build you up in an authentic way.
5. Challenge yourself. Once a pastor learns the basic skills of ministry, it is fairly easy to coast along. Find areas that you are not as strong in and challenge yourself. Learn a new skill. Do something to keep the fire burning.
6. Get involved in the community. It is easy to spend all your time with people in your congregation. There is always more work to do. But try to get involved in organizations or groups outside your community. It can be extremely refreshing.
7. Check your motivations. Why do you do what you do? Is it because of the attention or the authority? Is it for the love of your people? Is it because there is nothing else you can do? You likely have more than one motive. Take time to reflect honestly on your motivations for pastoral ministry.

What would you add to this list?

Liked it? Take a second to support Stephen Bedard on Patreon!