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 ow to approach changing priorities.
by Dr. J. Robert Clinton, Professor of Leadership, School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theology Seminary
Many seminarians have come through my door with heavy burdens. One thing they typically are concerned about is how to fit together ministry, family, and study. Many seminarians have part-time jobs or are involved in part-time ministry. Some have heavy family concerns, including making time for their marriage, being there for the kids, and figuring out financial issues. To top it off, they have a load of seminary classes.
How to handle all these pressures requires some sort of prioritizing. So I pray with them regarding these issues, especially those that are most pressing. However, with those who ask, I share some things I have learned about priorities--the hard way, of course. And it goes something like this.
|  | The Shifting Priority List
As I was first getting started in ministry the following priority list was taught, not so much by word of mouth, but by example. And it was strongly adhered to by most leaders of my generation. It went:
1. God
2. Ministry/job
3. Family
Over the years I have found this list to fall apart, because priorities shift. Yes, God is always first in our lives, as the source of guidance for our activities. Our allegiance is always his. But sometimes, due to providential circumstances, any one of the priorities may demand first place for a given period of time. Usually this demand will not last forever—but for some time it will cause us to reprioritize.
For example, for a short period of time, your priorities may look like this:
2. Ministry/job—great pressures to get caught up on something or to get ready for something important.
1. God--in terms of time given for devotions, Bible study, church meetings, or parachurch obligations.
3. Family—relatively few stressors.
Or they may become something like:
3. Family--something is causing pressure and must be taken care of; physical emergencies; a relationship needs repairing, or the like.
1. God--less time given to this relationship than to family needs.
2. Ministry (or job)—must sacrifice and fall behind for a period of time.
Or they may become something like:
1. God--need renewal and catch-up time with God or fellowship with other believers.
3. Family--need to strengthen relationship after hearing from God.
2. Ministry (job)--has to take the back seat while the above two are worked on.
Remember: Priorities change, and daily we must be prepared for the Spirit to guide us as we adjust our hearts and schedules. The changing priorities may require that some things be placed on hold for a period of time.
|  | The point is God can help you see where you need to shift your priorities for a given time. We must learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. This means learning to say no to the pressures of lesser priorities.
Priorities will always be changing—in seminary and ministry thereafter. So make it a priority to always be sensitive how God wants you to prioritize.
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|  |  t might take courage, but the payoff’s worth it: An interview with pastor and author Ed Young
Church leaders have presented the gospel message a zillion different ways. Sometimes it’s stale, boring—just Greek to be analyzed, theory to be studied. Other times it’s fresh—knee-buckling exciting, as good as it gets.
Communicating God’s truth in a relevant and thrilling way to an ever-changing, oftentimes disinterested culture demands creative leadership—and that’s not a gimmick, according to Ed Young, pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX, and author of The Creative Leader: Unleashing the Power of Your Creative Potential.
In a recent interview, Young discusses why creativity is essential to ministry and how to develop courage to think big.
Why does ministry demand creativity?
Ed Young: Culture is always in a state of flux. We can’t rely on past methods, past programs, or past strategies to reach people in the present and into the future. We must always seek new ways to communicate the timeless truths of God found in Scripture.
Another reason that creativity is so important is because the eternal destiny of mankind is at stake. Creativity isn’t a cool gimmick; it’s a necessary response to a critical situation. It helps people get it, to apply important truths to their lives.
|  | Can you learn “creative leadership” in seminary?
It’s not that they don’t teach the value of creativity in seminary; it’s that professors can’t fully prepare you for the unique context in which you’ll be serving. Every graduate will face different challenges that will require more than an understanding of broad theories on creative leadership.
An effective leader will commit to creative leadership in advance, knowing that this commitment will require a lifetime of hard work, but will yield eternal rewards. Creativity has to be more than an afterthought. I’ve learned that creativity has to be woven into the fabric of every leader and utilized in every area of his or her leadership.
How can seminarians develop creativity while in seminary?
It is important for seminary students to be actively involved in a local church. It would be even better if they could practice their creative ideas and skills as an active member of a church staff. How else are you going to apply this wealth of knowledge?
Beyond participation in a local church, I’d challenge students to do something I practiced as a seminarian: Ask the right people the right questions about ministry. Find a mentor or respected leaders and fire good questions at them about the rugged plains of reality in ministry.
You say it takes guts to be a world-class creative leader. How do seminarians develop this type of courage—and get over the fear of failure?
Again, we should always look to God for our example. Our God is bold. His creative plan was bold. The fact that he entrusted fallible human beings was bold. We don’t have to look any further than Jesus and the apostles for examples of faith-based courage.
The Bible is filled with examples of great leaders who challenged the status quo; leaders who boldly stepped forward in faith. Like all the heroes of Scripture, it takes courage to step out and innovate for God’s glory. I truly believe that God loves leaders who lay it all on the line. We might not always succeed, but we’re guaranteed God’s presence as we go.
Also, seminary students can pray for a bold vision. Students are already deepening their faith in seminary—especially when it’s time to visit the finance office to pay the tuition bill. Learn to embrace the financial, academic, and emotional challenges during your time at seminary so that your faith is seasoned and accustomed to the exciting challenges that will lie ahead. Just do me a favor: When you do leave the hallowed halls of seminary, don’t settle for mediocrity. Go big! |
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 inistry demands deep friendships.
By Georgia Patton, Asbury Seminary
Maybe one day I will write a book, The 102 Things I Never Learned in Seminary. I have a somewhat lengthy list of topics that were never discussed in any ministry class. Some of them are lighthearted and humorous, such as what to do with all those ceramic angels you receive every holiday, birthday, and anniversary. Others are more serious, with no easy answer: How do you tell parents of a teenage girl in your church that their daughter is pregnant?
There’s a possibility that I snoozed through some of the lessons, but I am convinced that the most overlooked topic in seminary is the importance of friendship.
|  | I remember many nights hanging out with my friends in their living room, crying and laughing, cursing and praising. In my weakest moments, when I get to the point of convincing myself that I am the only one out there “suffering for Jesus,” I remember my friends: Mark in Washington, Scott in California, Marty in Oklahoma, Tim in Florida, all doing the same work I am doing. It is reassuring to know that we are not alone.
John 15:13 (NLT) says, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” I have many friends who would lay down their life for me, and I would do the same for them. Fred and Barbara are such friends.
Last year proved to be a difficult time for my husband and me, as we were in the middle of a pastoral change. My husband and I served as the interim pastors and were worn down. The church had seen its better days; ministry was difficult. The joy we once had in being pastors was lost. During this time, Fred and Barbara invited us to their home in Ohio for Thanksgiving. As my husband and I drove from Florida to Ohio, we experienced a part of God’s creation that we had never seen before. Breathtaking scenes reminded me that God is often in places I forget to look.
|  | This trip was also a time of renewal. We spent time with our friends eating, laughing, riding motorcycles, and reminding ourselves of God’s calling for our lives. It is moments like these—when friends invite you in and allow you to take your shoes off, let your hair down, and put back the pieces of a somewhat broken life—that make doing God’s work worth it all.
I am who I am today because of friends who believed in me when I could not believe in myself. Friends have and will continue to be a vital part of my ministry; they help me keep on keeping on. When you find yourself in the midst of friends who will hold your hand, wipe your tears, giggle with you in life’s funny moments, and press you to persevere, you are reminded of God’s sweet call on your life. Two really are better than one. That’s a lesson I’ll never forget. |
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