In an op-ed in The Christian Post, author and theologian Dr. Joseph Mattera identifies five regrets older ministers have when reflecting on their lives.
- First, they Sacrificed their spouse and children on the altar of ministry.
Mattera writes, “Most ministers are so ambitious they sacrifice all to build a ministry with folks who may or may not be with them a few years down the road. “
- Second, they put programs before people.
Getting new programs off the ground can often be exciting since doing so often promises to greatly add to the life and vision of the church. Unfortunately, most of the time, the energy and focus needed to implement a program properly takes the energy and focus of the lead pastor away from spending time with the key people they are assigned to mentor, develop, and release into their destiny.
- Next, they didn’t concentrate on developing potential leaders.
Lead pastors often spend most of their time counseling emotionally needy, attention seeking people who have no real desire to mature as a disciple. Instead, he should mentor those who are Faithful, Able and Called to teach others.
- Fourth, they didn’t befriend young people.
Mentoring those half your age will continue to make an impact long after you’re gone.
- And finally, they raised up faithful church members instead of sons and daughters.
God is called Father because a father is by far the most important relationship any person could have with people in a church.