Spare Change

Kaboom

Posted by Bryan

Outgoing Lifeway Christian Resources President James Draper offers 5 landmines for pastors to avoid.

Here's a couple more...

1. Don't counsel without accountability. Put a window in your door if you don't have one, and any time you counsel, instruct your secretary to pass by every 10 minutes. In today's litigation-happy climate, it doesn't matter whether you counsel the same or opposite-sex, you need to have a witness that your conduct was honorable at all times.
2. Don't be too busy for people. Even if your office is sequestered from the general population, try to make a way to accomodate people. Pastors are busy....but then again, so is everybody. When a congregation feels like you're too busy to say hi or to build a relationship, then you're too busy.
3. Don't choose the wrong hill upon which to die. As a friend and colleague said, When evaluating the importance of a matter, ask yourself, "Is this why Jesus died?" If the answer is no, perhaps its not necessary for you to make it your life's battle.

This list is far from exhaustive...what are some landmines you want to make sure other ministers avoid?