Pastoring Without Novelty

Someone asked me what is new at the church recently. I sputtered and stuttered about some new things I was working on. They weren't my priorities. They weren't what I was excited about. I got sucked into the question. 

It happened again last week. Someone asked what was new. I tried to find something to say. Here is what I wish I had said:

There is very little new in pastoring. Pastor is faithfulness to the basics with creativity and energy. 

The basics of pastoring don't change--preach, pray, love people, and suffer. We equip the saints for works of service. That hasn't changed in 2000 years. It would be a problem if the job changed. 

What does change is that we do the same thing with creativity and energy. I picked up this nuance from a Paul Graham post called "The Right Kind of Stubborn." He isn't a church leader and isn't writing for church leaders, but he explores the difference between stubbornness and persistence. He says energy and imagination are part of what makes persistence different and better.

Some people might hear this and make too much of creativity and energy. They love making up new things. I've seen pastors run ragged trying new discipleship methods, series ideas, or outreaches. Don't make too much of this. Creativity asks, "Is there any way I can improve in my preaching, praying, and loving of people?" Energy asks, "Am I just going through the motions, or am I giving this my very best?"

What's new? Nothing is new, but I'm doing it to the best of my ability.

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