7 Pastoral Non-Negotiables for Ministry
Author: Pastor Jerry Elwell
How do you survive over half a century in ministry? I want to share what I call “Pastoral Non-negotiables” which are some rules, guidelines, principles and parameters for young men who want to start well in ministry, but also for old men who want to finish well in ministry. I wrote these down as a young man 50 years ago—these are my non-negotiables.
1. I will view my ministry as a calling, not a vocation!
Paul states in Galatians 1:11-16 that God had set him apart before birth for his ministry. I don’t know if I can say that God set me apart from my mother’s womb, but I do know that there came a time when I clearly understood that God had set me apart to serve and shepherd His people! The difference between working in ministry and serving in ministry is the difference between a job and a calling. Some may ask, “How do you know you’re called?” If you are called then God will sustain you, He will provide for you and He will bless you.
It important to also note that if God has called you then he has called your spouse as well.
Most important of all—there is no retirement from a calling.
2. I will never allow money to determine where I serve!
We don’t get to leave one church and go to another just because they pay more and have a better benefit package. And the principle here is understanding who’s your resource and provider. Who is your sustainer? It is none other than our omnipotent Father who has unlimited resource.
3. I will never handle the churches money!
In ministry I made the decision to let other leaders handle the money—collecting it, depositing and distributing giving statements at the end of the year. I never want to look at what people give because it may affect the way you serve them.
4. I will never counsel a woman alone.
There is something that happens in counseling called “transference” that makes it dangerous to counsel a woman alone in your office. This is where she begins to entertain such thoughts as, “I wish my husband was as understanding as my pastor.” Before long she is transferring affections from her husband to you! Paul says in Romans 13:14, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify it’s desires.” Even though you may see red flags popping up everywhere it is not worth gambling your ministry and marriage by putting yourself in such a position. I have always required my wife, her husband or father, or someone else to be present in such counseling situations. Wisdom dictates that we always err on the side of caution—when in doubt…don’t.
5. I will not sacrifice my wife and family on the altar of success.
My commitment to my family is second only to my commitment to my God. If we are too busy to meet the needs of our family, then we are far busier than God intended. I & II Timothy and Titus tell us that our family is in fact our credentials to serve. If we fail with our family…any success we would enjoy in ministry would surely be somewhat hollow and empty, and so would be our teaching on that subject.
6. I will use my ministry to build up my people—not my people to build up my ministry.
There are too many pastors who use their ministries as steps on the ever-ascending stairway of success in the ministry. We call these pastors “Kingdom Builders.” They are building not God’s kingdom but their own. If God has truly called us to serve a particular church, then above all else we should exhibit a “servant’s heart.” John 10:12 tells us that a true shepherd loves the sheep more than his own life. The hireling only cares for himself.
7. I will honor my covenant with my wife until death do us part.
The past couple of years have seen dozens, if not hundreds, of well-known pastors and church leader’s marriages go up in smoke as shocking revelations of their moral failures became evident. So yes, this is one of my non-negotiables. I was blessed to have my wife at my side when I started 54 years ago, and if God is gracious, I want her at my side when I finish. It is often said that the pastor has no pastor, but that is not really true, because if your wife is who God intended for her to be, then you have always had a loving helpmate at your side.
About the Author: Pastor Jerry Elwell has served in ministry for 55 years. He has planted three churches in three different states, been a part of church revitalization ministry and led in both smaller and larger congregations. He is currently serving as the senior pastor of Grace Gospel Fellowship in the beautiful state of Montana in the town of Hamilton.