" Deciding when to leave pastoral ministry is a complex decision."
2. Some leaders finished poorly. Such leaders often declined in skill, competence, or relationship with God.
3. Some leaders finished so-so. They did not accomplish what they could have or should have done.
4. Some leaders finished well. They continued to walk closely with God and accomplished his purposes. All leaders face a time( or times) in their lives when they must make a decision( or decisions) that impact them for the rest of their lives. A leader typically faces one to three major pivot points in their life. Each leader’ s response to God’ s work in their life marks their ministry for years to come. The pivot point( s) can lead to one of three eventualities:
• End the use of the leader for God’ s purposes. They are no longer trusted enough to continue serving in a ministry leadership role.
• Curtail the leader’ s work. Their usefulness for God’ s work is diminished or at least their potential is limited.
• Enhance the leader’ s contribution to the ultimate purposes of God’ s kingdom. Their decision builds trust and gives evidence of internal integrity for continued and expanded ministry.
In Psalm 90, Moses reminds us to“ number our days” that we may present to God a heart of wisdom( v. 12). Like Moses, Christian leaders must seek to finish well so our life isn’ t wasted because of our human mistakes. I conclude by sharing some principles that will enable you to finish well.
• Study biblical leaders to understand how God worked through them. The writer of Hebrews reminds us,“ Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God.
" Deciding when to leave pastoral ministry is a complex decision."
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”( 13:7 – 8 ESV). By accessing the lessons learned from past leaders— both positive and negative— we can discover how to finish well.
• Build renewal experiences into your life. Leaders who finish well experience times of renewal. Such times are important in one’ s mid-thirties to mid-fifties( often called a midlife crisis); however, pastors need to renew or reinvent themselves every seven to ten years. Without such renewal, Christian leaders tend to plateau in life and ministry, and there is usually a sense of confusion regarding achievement and future direction. Being open to God’ s renewing and initiating personal times of renewal are important aspects of finishing well.
• Guard your inner life. In his late sixties and nearing the end of his life, the apostle Paul
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