Pastoral experiences over the decades offer retired pastors a wealth of insights to share with younger ministers – especially those just starting their ministerial careers. Many of these revelations have come from the School of Hard Knocks. But each and every one of them is valuable.

One of the most important matters I would bring up would be our Lord’s command for all of us to “make disciples.” Perhaps few, if any, deacons or elders would ask about this concern in a monthly meeting – but it needs to be central in our job description. In fact, we are to make disciples who themselves make disciples. Multiplication is a vital part of our ministry process.

Closely related are the words of Paul Mullen, a retired pastor and hospital chaplain from Winston-Salem, N.C., with many years of experience in both ministries. He reminds young ministers that “the quality of a minister’s caring relationships is most important over the long haul.”

“Many younger ministers tend to think that preaching, teaching, and leadership skills are most important,” Mullen says. “Each of these are essential, but none of them are as vital as letting members know that they are deeply loved and cared for. When ministers take considerable initiative to be present with people at the point of their need, representing the compassionate presence of Christ, they build their ministry on a solid, lasting foundation.”

Another long time pastor, Donald Farrow, also of Winston-Salem, shared these suggestions to young ministers starting out:

• Be prepared for disappointment.
• Be prepared to re-examine your call to ministry.
• Be prepared to spend more time in prayer.
• Be prepared to deal with your frustration and anger.
• Be prepared to spend time researching the subject of how systems work; your church itself is a system.
• Give your family high priority.
• Learn how to establish priorities.

Finally, I would encourage young ministers to intentionally search out godly mentors, pick their brains and listen to their wise counsel. One doesn’t need to make one’s own mistakes. As Proverbs 13:20 reminds us, “He who walks with wise men will himself be wise.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Bill Greenwood is a retired pastor who served for more than 30 years in North Carolina Baptist churches. This article first appeared in a newsletter for Barnabas Partnership, with contribution from Steve Zimmerman. Republished with permission.)