Some denominations have a guaranteed appointment system, and some pastors are moved around by a district-level bishop. Baptist pastors, however, usually apply independently for a vacant role (or are approached out of the blue) and "candidate" for a position. There is often a questionnaire, an interview, a trial sermon, and a vote. A commonly asked question has to do with what sort of percentage a pastoral candidate should seek before accepting a call from a church. Ideally, the vote would be unanimous, right? But that isn't all that common. Is it biblical to draw a line in the sand? How do you even think about this issue? Does it just boil down to a coin toss?
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If you are already pastoring, you have no doubt worked out your own system for developing sermons. Maybe you are like me, and you are always on the lookout for helpful tips, time-saving ideas, and best practices that can help you perfect your craft. 1. Picking a Passage:Not to be Captain Obvious here, but the first step is obviously picking a passage. You may come from a tradition that uses the lectionary, so your passage has been picked already. As an expository preacher, I love to take my congregation through books of the Bible. As I write this post, we are wrapping up the Gospel of Mark and headed into one of the epistles - 1 Corinthians. As I plan series, I like to alternate types of literature and go back and forth between Old and New Testament. You can preach thematic series while still using an expositional approach to the text. If you are preparing a stand-alone message for a special event or something similar (and even if not!), give yourself to much prayer, and every time, you will find that God leads you right to the very passage you are to bring. 2. Getting Started:I purposely begin here with this blog, because this issue is fundamental to your entire ministry. I assume here that I am speaking to someone considering ministry as a profession and not a veteran pastor doubting the call. I want to post in the future for such a pastor, but this is not that post. This is such a great question, and because it has such a tremendous impact on your life and the kingdom, the fact that it can be elusive may worry you. Some have found it so troubling that they maintain a call is not necessary. So, what does the Bible say about a call, and how can you know if you are indeed called? |
AuthorPastor Billy Shaw is a full-time pastor, husband, and father with a passion for helping other pastors. Archives
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