PastorServe

Last night I was honored to spend the evening with PastorServe an organization headed up by some of the finest people I know. PastorServe exists to serve pastors and church leaders. They help encourage, revitalize and empower pastors and ministry leaders through resourcing, coaching and crisis counseling. Who pastors a pastor when he/she is down? Who do you go to for counseling and insight?

For the last several years Jimmy Dodd the founder/executive director of PastorServe has been a great friend, coach & mentor to me and our church. Honestly it's been stretching, and I'm still stretching and growing.

I wanted to say thank you to Jimmy Dodd for ALL that he does for me and other pastors around the U.S. In addition here are some of the notes from last night that I know will encourage EVERY Pastor and Church leader out there.

Dr. Gary Kinnaman was the keynote speaker and here is a brief outline of what he said:

1. Ministry which is giving life to others is seldom painless - you need to read that and let it sink in. I wish someone would have taught me this. I could have saved my self from a lot of frustration.

2 Timothy 4:7-9

"Children spend 20 years taking from their parents." Many times we don't ever reverse that cycle. That's why in my opinion and I do have an OPinion :) why we have such a consumerist mentality in the church today.

Paul used two metaphors: A Fight and a Race and neither of them are fun. Ephesians 6:11-13 (The Message) "1 So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.12 This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.13 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet."


2. EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY

Pastors are some of the loneliest people around. Why? Because they don't feel like they can talk to anyone.

2 Timothy 4:9

"We need each other as much as we need Jesus."

Philippians 4:13-14 "13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles."

James 5:14-16

3. The Lord stands with ME!

2 Timothy 4:17-18