Certain challenges and opportunities seem to follow specific seasons in a pastor's life. Aspiring pastors wonder how to manage their ambition for ministry against the character qualifications found in Scripture. New pastors question whether the ordinary means of grace are enough to be successful. On the other side of ministry, mature pastors may wonder whether they are still the right man for the job. After all, they have served their church for ten, twenty, or even thirty years-maybe it's time for a new voice. Retired pastors contemplate how their ministry came and went so fast. This issue of Church Matters considers each season of pastoral ministry with the aim to encourage pastors to be faithful. After all, your job description, pastor, is to "shepherd the flock of God that is among you" knowing that "when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory" (1 Pet. 5:2a, 4b).

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Table of Contents

Editor's Note by Jonathan Leeman

At the Starting Blocks: Preparation
Join a Church and Follow a Faithful Pastor by Joshua Chatman
Elder Before You Elder by Zack DiPrima
Attend to Your Character by Garrett Conner
Listen to Others More Than Yourself: The External Call by V. Samuel Clintoc
Balance Patience and Ambition by Billy Dalton
You Aspire, but Are You Willing? by Raymond Johnson
Candidate Wisely and Honestly by Branton Burleson

After the Gun: First Five Years
Find a Mentor! by Cheston Pickard
Be a Strong and Courageous Young Leader by Clint Darst
Patience! Pick Your Battles Wisely by Jeramie Rinne
Loving Your Family While Leading God's Church by Liam Garvie
Take Heart: Preaching to Encourage by Tiago Oliveira
Young Pastor, Care for the Older Members of Your Flock by Dave Kiehn
Make the Main Thing the Main Thing on Sundays by Bret Capranica
Creating Healthy Membership Practices by John Deedrick
Unique Temptations for a New Pastor by Brian Parks

Over the Long Haul: The Middle Years
Prepare for Unexpected Storms by Josh Manley
Raise up Leaders by John Folmar
Persevere in the Highs and Lows by Clift Barnes
Every Week I Preach My Guts out and . . . Nothing Changes by David King
Work Hard and Stay Hungry by Juan Sanchez

Passing the Baton: Transitioning to the Next Guy
How to Decide When It's Time to Stay or Go by Phil Newton
Why Is It Hard for Pastors to Let Go? by Sandy Willson
Plan Your Transition by Michael Indorf
Preparing a Church for Pastoral Transition by William Spink, Jr.
Support the Next Guy by Doug Van Meter
How Should I Serve My Church after I Stop Being Its Senior Pastor? by Bob Johnson

Finishing the Race
Six Lessons I Learned When I Could Not Pastor by John Erickson
Learn to Rest by Wes Pastor
Pastor, Remember Where Your Identity Is Found Before You Retire by Phil Newton
Brothers, Train Up the Next Generation by Mike Bullmore
Anticipating Your Reward by Omar Johnson