MOVING FORWARD - pastor mike landry

I’m in the Dayton airport awaiting my flight back home. I’ve been in Ohio for the last 8 days and had the privilege of renewing friendships with two pastor friends while speaking in their churches throughout the week. While here, I observed and was reminded of a number of things that contribute to the good health of a church. Both churches were very different but had so much in common. I thought I’d share some of the similarities with you.

1. These pastors genuinely loved the people in their church.


2. These congregations trusted and loved their pastors.


3. These pastors were not so scripted that they couldn’t be flexible and spontaneous.


4. These congregations demonstrated their concern for others with their “acts of kindness” and talked about it so others could learn how.


5. These pastors had a sense of humor and weren’t afraid to laugh at themselves.


6. These congregations were generous and didn’t wait for someone to ask before they demonstrate it.


7. These pastors measured effectiveness in ministry and direction for ministry with an evangelistic baseline.


8. These congregations were eager to grow in their knowledge of God’s Word and demonstrated it with their participation in special services and Bible Studies at the most inconvenient times.


9. These pastors were disciplined men and demonstrated it by prioritizing time for the study of God’s Word and prayer.


10. These congregations permitted and encouraged their pastors to spend large quantities of time with their families.


11. These pastors paid attention to their wives and kids and were quick to pull out pictures that demonstrated how much they valued and loved them.


12. These congregations and their pastors were passionate about their personal relationships with God and wanted others to know about it.


13. These pastors were committed to stick with their churches during difficult times and had weathered storms in the past that earned their congregation’s trust.


14. These churches had both been willing to follow their pastor’s lead even when their personal preferences had to be denied.


15. Both pastors regarded past victories as reason to celebrate but not as “sacred cows” to maintain or repeat.


16. Both pastors saw themselves as pastors to their communities as well as their congregations.


I could go on and on with many other observations but I’m afraid God will already hold me accountable for all that I’ve listed. J This has been a refreshing week and a reminder of many of the subtleties of effective ministry. I return to Sarasota with a renewed commitment to pastor, lead, and enjoy the wonderful people God has placed in my life.


Special thanks go to Pastors Greg Jackson and Dave Hill and their churches, First Southern Baptist Church in Camden and Northside Baptist Church in Springfield. You’re both making a huge difference and honoring God with your ministries.