“I know this is disappointing to hear, but you are not ready to be in pastoral ministry.”
This is one of the hardest things I periodically have to tell men aspiring to be pastors. I believe it is also the kindest thing I can say to save the men, their families, and their future congregations great heartache and pain. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6).
Churches must train the ambitious patiently, giving them time to show their true colors.
Places and Spaces
Places and spaces must be made to have hard conversations about ministry readiness. The aforementioned men had committed themselves to a season of training at our church, but during their preparation, issues surfaced that temporarily or permanently disqualified them from pastoral ministry.
For some, character qualities emerged that conflicted with 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Others did not yet know their Bibles well enough to rightly divide it and defend the faith against false doctrine. A number who did know their Bible well needed more practice and life experience to be able to teach and communicate effectively.
In a few instances, places and spaces revealed deep-seated habitual sins and ungodly motives for ministry. Whatever the situation, the hard
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