Today’s blog post comes to us from Todd Gaddis for Baptist Press.

After some 27 years as a senior pastor, at age 58, I have taken on what I hope will be my fourth and final church. By the grace of God, I’ve made it this far and with His help I plan to finish strong.

Based on experience, accumulated wisdom and the Spirit’s guidance, here are 10 practices I will give special attention to as I head into the home stretch.

1. Shed Saul’s armor (1 Samuel 17:39). Rather than fretting over another church’s success and trying to emulate someone else’s style, I’m going to try harder to be what God called and equipped me to be.

2. Build margin into my schedule (Psalms 46:10). As a younger minister, I felt validated by staying as busy as possible. In the years that remain, I’m going to maintain as much “white space” as possible, ready and anticipating needed refueling time and spontaneous ministry opportunities.

3. Keep in shape (1 Corinthians 6:19). I used to run — now I walk. And I plan to continue to do so as much as my body and time will allow. This is not only good for physical conditioning, but mental health as well. I might even kill three birds with one stone by listening to books, sermons and music on my phone as I walk.

Click here to read the remaining seven points.

Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

P.S. – For more information on navigating the difficult path of ministry, click here for my resource Finishing Well.

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.