When God first let you know He wanted you to be a messenger for His kingdom, you didn’t have everything required to be
successful.
You likely didn’t have much of anything. I know I didn’t. Humbled by the call, you started a long process of gathering the tools you would need to fulfill it. You began to cultivate insights, biblical knowledge, like-minded friends, wise counselors, communication and leadership skills, maturity, accountability, a team . . . the list goes on.
If you are still growing in your life and ministry, you have undoubtedly discovered that this gathering process never ends. Whether you have been at this for 2 years or 20 years, you have to do your part every single day to fulfill the calling God has placed on you. As you do, you honor the third commitment of being a Renegade Pastor: Fulfill Your Calling.
Tender and Tough
A fellow pastor once told me, “Nelson, you need two things to survive in ministry: a tender heart and a tough hide.” He explained, having a heart that’s sensitive toward lost people and toward the ravages of sin in the world is crucial to being able to minister well. But just as crucial is having a thick skin toward the inevitable critics and attacks of the devil that accompany any effective ministry work.
A Tender Heart
Spending time focusing on the people in the community where I minister grounds me. It reminds me why I do what I do, even when things are hard. I encourage you to give this exercise a try. Next time you have the chance, spend a few minutes people watching. Take a fresh look at your neighbors and ask God to give you a soft heart toward them. Intentionally shifting your perspective out of your agenda and toward the people God has put around you — the people He is calling you to reach — goes a long way toward keeping your heart tender.
Join me next week for the second part to this series when I’ll share tips to develop a tough hide.
Join Nelson Searcy and special guests for 3 days dedicated to helping you fulfill your calling as a pastor — to replenish your energy and focus for ministry! The Renegade Pastors Conference will be held Wednesday, February 27 — Friday, March 1, 2019 at Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL. Seats are Going Fast —But You Can Sign Up Now at the Early Bird Rates! Register now at: www.RPConference.
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