⛪️ Practical Church: How should people refer to you?
💡 1 SOLUTION FOR EFFECTIVE MINISTRY
If you’re a pastor, be flexible with how people want to address you as their pastor. In the Practical Church Facebook group, someone recently asked, “When you start a plant and people start to refer to you as "pastor," has anyone considered not using that title because it encourages professional Christians rather than the idea that all saints should be in the work of ministry?”
Here is my encouragement:
Let people call you pastor if they prefer to. In my experience, many times it is cultural (whether or not someone addresses you as “pastor”), and I think it’s best to let people do what they are comfortable with.
For example, I’m white, and in many predominantly white churches, most people just call the pastor by their first name. Some people who are not white at our church (and a few that are!) and from different church traditions want to call me pastor as it is a respect thing for them. Because of that, I never ask people not to call me pastor (or ask them to call me pastor if they don’t). I’d rather everyone do what is most comfortable for them.
At the end of the day, do what makes you most comfortable, but I would give people the freedom to address you in ways comfortable to them.
💬 2 HELPFUL QUOTES
I. Paul E. Miller on prayer:
“What do I lose when I have a praying life? Control. Independence. What do I gain? Friendship with God. A quiet heart. The living work of God in the hearts of those I love. The ability to roll back the tide of evil. Essentially, I lose my kingdom and get his. I move from being an independent player to a dependent lover. I move from being an orphan to a child of God.”
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II. Paul David Tripp who needs your preaching:"
“Pastor, there is no congregation you need to preach to more than yourself.”
🎙 THIS WEEK ON THE PODCAST
I share 8 tips for better church announcements, why it’s important to remember that online is not real life, taking care of your spouse in ministry, and more.
💯 1 PRACTICAL RESOURCE FOR MINISTRY
If you are looking for quality + cost-efficient bibles in bulk for your church, I recommend the CSB Pew Bibles. We use these at New City and are always what I recommend to others looking for Bibles in bulk. The print is a good size and the Bibles themselves don’t feel cheap.
💪 1 CHALLENGE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY
Ask your spouse if there is anything about ministry right now that is hard for them. No one expects ministry to be easy, but it doesn’t mean your spouse should be sacrificed on the altar. Check and see if they need anything from you to ensure they feel loved and supported in the midst of your work.
P.S. When is medicine first mentioned in the Bible?
When God gave Moses two tablets.
