Randi Meyer
Tuesday 3/24/2009
Week 10 – Free Choice: Top Three Biggest Lessons Learned in the Ministry

Grant United Methodist
Pastor Constance Cherry – March 18, 2009

1. I am replaceable – This was a huge lesson for Pastor Connie to learn! Often pastors get in their heads that they are a very important in the process and well-being of the church. This is only partly true. The church can replace you and they will survive. We can’t get to big of a head!
2. Don’t Assume – Pastors should not assume that they know where people are at spiritually. Sometimes people are much closer to God than you would think. We cannot judge people’s level of spirituality based on how much they pray aloud, talk about God, ext. Pastor Connie learned that some people are deeply committed to God, but they are just not comfortable being outspoken about their faith. As pastors, we must talk to people to discover how their relationship with God is.
3. The Call of God is Dynamic – Pastor Connie shared that she use to believe that she was called to one thing. The call is a lifetime, but there could be periods of lice that He calls you to different things. God brings about different areas of giftedness forward for specific seasons of life, but they are usually a lengthy time. It does not mean you change what you are doing each year!