The call to ministry is the call to prepare — and preparation is an ongoing process. You will never learn all there is to be learned about any subject; you’ll never reach the pinnacle point in any area. Part of being an effective pastor and a more fulfilled person is deciding to be a lifelong learner.

Personal growth always precedes healthy church growth. If the church’s growth begins to outpace the pastor’s personal growth, cracks become evident pretty quickly. Given this reality, creating a personal growth plan is key to fulfilling your calling.

1. God grows you as you study Scripture.
2. God grows you as you seek Him in prayer.
3. God grows you through the internal witness of the Holy Spirit.

Join me next Tuesday and I’ll share the remaining three ways God grows you.

Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

© 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.