The Perilous Privilege of Pastoring - SERMON NOTES

Intro: (1) roles of Ben/Jeremy → titles (cf. 1 Timothy 5:17) (2) NT → plurality, elder = pastor = shepherd = overseer (4) some paid, some volunteer in our context (5) “pastor” vs. “director” (6) five marks

Corporate Worship: (1) Acts 2:42, 20:7, 1 Cor. 14:26, 40 (2) key → sermon, singing, scripture reading, prayers, communion/baptism, sharing/testimony, preaching, giving, benediction (3) overseen by Ben services built with core of scripture (cf. Ben/Leslie) (4) services supported by ministry teams (cf. coffee, nursery, greeters, security, ushers, a/v, communion prep, praise) → will now be overseen by Collin

Member Care: (1) 1 Thess. 5:12-14 (2) shep groups → pastoral arm overseen by elders, carried out by group leaders (5) summer gatherings, men’s/women’s ministry, youth, children (6) membership, church covenant, church discipline (7) weddings, funerals, hospital visits, benevolence (8) will be primarily overseen by Jeremy, assisted by Nita (and staff according to area)

Equipping Leaders: (1) Eph. 4:11-12 (2) calling of a pastor is to help others live in their calling (3) various levels → elders, staff/deacons (4) “assimilation” → transitioning from Tim to Collin/Jeremy (5) basis of SS topics → biblical books, foundations, living (6) balance of organization and relationship (i.e. trellis and vine) → “the process is the product”

Mission/Evangelism: (1) Matthew 28:18-20 (2) “gospel” = God, man, Christ response (3) three levels → individual, community level, international level (4) strategic shift toward fewer partners, more sending/going → no outreach events (5) health in the first three categories vital for mission → a loving church our best tool of evangelism (6) primarily overseen by Ben via Mallie

Personal Holiness: (1) Acts 20:28 (2) not hardest job, but one with most unique challenges (3) examples → familiarity, expectations/criticism, people energy, pastor/friend/boss (4) “the best thing a pastor can do for his congregation is care for his own soul” (5) how → eat/sleep/exercise, pastor friends, personal Bible reading/prayer, prioritizing marriage/family, healthy rhythms of work and play and rest

Conclusion: (1) not perfect (2) lots of change → ask questions (3) stewards (4) Jeremy