10 Commandments for pastors

My brother Simon has a wonderful blog page full of witty and fascinating articles on all manner of subjects. It's certainly worth a read. (simoncareyholt.blogspot.com)

Yesterday Simon posted a book review for a book written by a chef. The last chapter of the book listed 10 commandments for chefs. They are a fascinating list. Simon made some comparisons with each of them to pastoral ministry. Really, you need to read Simon's article. It's a gem. Throughout my day I have been thinking what my 10 commandments would be for pastors. This year I clock up 25 years of pastoral ministry. Without taking the time to think too deeply on the question I sat down and made a quick list of my '10 commandments' Here is what I came up with:

10 commandments for pastors

1. Keep the vision clear
2. Keep the passion hot
3. Keep the connection to the vine
4. Build the team
5. Encourage Encourage Encourage
6. Offend the right people
7. Pace yourself for a marathon, not a sprint
8. Do the little things well
9. Keep on learning
10. Get people engaged in the mission

As I sit here and read it over again I can hear some busy sounds coming from our kitchen as Jo prepares the evening meal and the chatter of children as they talk about their day and what's happening in their worlds. Maybe somewhere on my list of 10 there should have been something about making time for family first. I like to get to the end and feel that I'd done that well.

30 minutes later - evening meal now finished

There was vigorous discussion at the tea table as to what might be the ten commandments for being a pastor's kid. They never actually got to ten - but Simon and Emily were the quickest to come up with some suggestions. Maybe I'll be able to convince them to write some down for me - It hasn't worked so far.

I did however come up with a more 'tongue in cheek' list for pastors. What do you think of these:

1. Preach short sermons
2. Visit everyone often
3. Never upset the treasurer
4. Never move the furniture
5. Never learn to use the duplicator
6. Never tell stories about your children in sermons
7. Learn to drink tea
8. Make sure your wife becomes president of the ladies group
9. Never get an associate pastor who is better than you
10. Move on before they move you on

On that profound note I must get ready to go out again - Last night to college, tonight to an elders meeting, tomorrow night to our staff selection panel meeting - and so it goes on. Isn't life grand!