Thoughts From My First Year as Pastor #1 - Ministry isn't as Easy as I Thought

A week or so ago I celebrated (well I didn't really do anything to celebrate it but you get the idea) my first year as a student ministry pastor. Without going too far into detail, it's been a year full of highs and lows. This year has had far more "church drama" than the previous 20 years. At the same time, it's been full of ministries highs and life change. It's demanded that I grow up very fast, and learn some hard lessons the hard way.


Lesson #1 - Ministry isn't as easy as I thought

1. Growth isn't as easy as I thought
2. Sustainable ministry isn't as easy as I thought
3. Discipleship isn't as easy as I thought
4. Dealing with criticism isn't as easy as I thought
5. Working with a budget isn't as easy as I thought
6. Sticking to a ministry plan isn't as easy as I thought
7. Consistently partnering with parents isn't as easy as I thought
8. Earning good credibility with parents and students isn't as easy as I thought
9. Teaching the same group of people for over a year isn't as easy as I thought
10. Taking time off isn't as easy as I thought
11. Structuring a ministry isn't as easy as I thought
12. Staffing a ministry isn't as easy as I thought
13. Doing what matters most isn't as easy as I thought
14. Sticking to your purpose isn't as easy as I thought
15. Sustaining momentum isn't as easy as I thought
16. Providing opportunities for people to serve isn't as easy as I thought
17. Getting students to serve isn't as easy as I thought
18. Keeping spiritually fresh while serving in ministry isn't as easy as I thought
19. Finding time to read isn't as easy as I thought
20. Doing ministry and keeping up a blog isn't as easy as I thought