Ask most kids what they want to be when they grow up, and they’ll tell you: Astronaut. Storm chaser. Lego maker. It’s cute, but not realistic.
Ask seminarians or young leaders in the church this question, and they’ll fumble through some possible scenarios. Plant a church. Revitalize a dying church. Pastor an established congregation. Many just aren’t sure where and how their gifts are most suited for the work.
Pastors developing future leaders can help using these seven diagnostic questions. In so doing, they will send future leaders more strategically.
1. Is he a pastor or does he like the thought of being a pastor?
This is the question. We must always start here. Every future pastor must first meet the biblical qualifications for the character and competence of one who is entrusted with leadership in the church (1 Tim. 3:1–7; Titus 1:3–7; 1 Pet. 5:1–11). What is a church planter if not a pastor of God’s people? What is a church revitalizer, re-planter, established church pastor if not one entrusted to shepherd the flock of God?
In many ways, the stark dichotomy between church planting and revitalization creates a distinction that confuses rather than helps. Both planters and revitalizers must aspire to the qualifications
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