22 things about ministry I wished I had known 22 years ago...

The following is a list of lessons that I have learned in ministry over the last 22 years. Although I wished I would have done some things differently, I know that some of these lessons had to be learned in a difficult way. The most important lessons cannot be taught; they must be experienced. Here are twenty-two lessons (in no particular order of importance) that I wished I would have known twenty-two years ago.

1. Substance is more important than style

I was too concerned how something “looked.” Are we traditional enough? Are we contemporary enough? Is this event or sermon going to be “buzz-worthy” enough? I have gone through different seasons of ministry (traditional, contemporary), but I have learned that substance is more important than style. Something can be done in a way that is well polished, but being a mile wide is fruitless if you are only an inch deep.

2.   Old dead guys matter

It’s crazy to think of this now, but as a young Christian, I did not want to learn from the old dead guys. I was only interested in hearing from my contemporaries than old dead men. Oh how I wished I had read John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, John Bunyan or John Owen, etc much sooner!? I was wrong. They have now become such a valuable part of who I am.

3.   Expository preaching is vital

How I wished I would have preached verse by verse from the beginning. Expository preaching has been the most spiritually edifying thing for my spiritual life and preaching. My sermons used to be more about me, culture, then the Scripture itself. I relied far too heavily on illustrations, videos, visual media, props, and stage sets than the power of the Word. There were many weeks where I was more concerned about creativity than study. 

4.   Choose your battles wisely…

Not every battle is worth fighting. If you fight the ones that don’t matter, people won’t care about the ones that do matter. Save your fight and energy for the important ones down the road.

5.   The time you spend with people is far more important than what you think…

Few, if any, will remember many sermons that I have preached over the last twenty-two years. I am grateful when someone does remember a sermon. However, that is an exception and not a normal occurrence. This is not to diminish the value of preaching, but to show that real pastoral care and energy must be exercised. A pastor, after all, is a shepherd. 

6.   Numbers do not define me…

I let the numbers of the church drive my emotional state. “How many people were there Sunday? How much was in the offering? Are we growing faster than we were last year at this time?” I had allowed the success or failure of these numbers to define me. I have learned that my identity is only found in the worth given to me by God in Christ. 

7.   Outreach is not to market the church

The end game of sharing the gospel is not about “church marketing.” We do outreach because people matter to God. We do outreach because the gospel is the “power of God” to save sinners.

8.   The gospel is bigger…

The gospel is bigger, deeper, and more satisfying than I ever could have imagined. The gospel must be central and vibrant in my life and ministry. The gospel isn’t just for people to become Christians; it’s also for Christians to remember the goodness of God each day. As many have said, “We must preach the gospel to ourselves everyday.” 

9.  The Holy Spirit is necessary…

I have lived a large portion of my life and ministry being ignorant of the necessity of the Holy Spirit. I have preached far too many sermons trusting in my own power, eloquence, wit, and personality. As a result, I have spent many days in ministry when I was ready to quit. 

10. Sanctification is a painful process

As a pastor, it is hard to let people know you that you don’t have it altogether. Pride often creeps up and deceives. God is working on me, and what He’s doing in me, is a beautiful work. This process doesn’t come cheap, or pain free, but the end result will be worth it. 

11. Never respond to someone when emotions are heated 

I have said things that I wished I never would have said in the heat of the moment. I have sent emails/texts that should never have been written. Words matter. It’s not just what I say, but how I say it. Nobody wins if I win the argument but bulldoze others around me.

12. Delegate. Delegate. Delegate. 

I have learned to delegate more responsibilities away and trust people to do what God has called them to do. The consequence of not doing this is burnout and ineffectiveness. The church is not Dan Sardinas. The church doesn't live or die on me. I need to lead, train, and let people serve. 

13. People come … People go…

In twenty-two years, I have seen people come and I have seen people go. When people leave, it is difficult to not take this personally. However, I can’t control what other people think or feel about me or the church. People will come and go, whether I do everything right or not.

14. Pray more..

I have learned that you can’t pray enough. Prayer is a dependance upon God for everyday life. It is impossible to pray too little. I wished I would have prayed more and worried less.

15. Don’t let the pressures of ministry go home with me…

When I go home to my family, I am not “Pastor Dan.” I am a husband and father. There are some days where it is difficult to shut that “switch” off, but it must happen. My family is more important than my ministry. I must love, nurture, lead, disciple, and invest into them. 

16.  Read more…

I had often heard that “leaders are learners.” I am much more diligent now than I ever used to be about reading. Read. Learn. Grow. I have too many books on my bookshelf that I have never read. I wished I had read more but immaturity kept me from that joy. 

17. I can’t make everyone happy…

I will never succeed at satisfying the happiness of other people. I have disappointed many people in twenty-two years. Even when I try my best it is not enough for some. I have learned that task is impossible. 

18. Don't be afraid to say no

Sometimes, pastors say "yes" to people out of a desire to please them. However, by saying "yes" we could be harming the church from doing what it's supposed to be doing. Saying "no" might lead to some uncomfortable conversations, but will save a flood of trouble down the road. Trust me.

19.  I am not anyone’s Savior

There is only one Jesus and I am not Him. I can’t be there for everybody all of the time. I can’t solve everyone’s problems. I don’t have all the answers. That is ok. My job is to point them to Christ and his Word.

20. The regulative principle of worship is a gift for ministry

The regulative principle of worship states that we only do in the worship gathering what God has commanded. There is so much freedom in this principle to trust God with how he wants his church fed. It is a gift to be able to focus the service on the worship of God rather than the whims or preferences of others. 

21. God has not called me to be famous

Early in my ministry I struggled greatly with pride. One of my goals was to be a well-known pastor that everyone knew about and admired. Wow. That is so cringe-worthy to even reflect upon now. However, I have learned that the point of my life is not for my fame but God’s. After being greatly humbled by the Lord (painfully), I learned this difficult lesson. I’d much rather now be a faithful husband, father, pastor, and friend.

22. Lori Sardinas is my best friend in ministry

I did know this twenty-two years ago, when I married her, but I know it all the more now. She has been by my side when other have not been. Many have been my “friend,” but she has been the most faithful through all the ups and downs. She is my wife and best friend. I don’t burden her with every thing that happens in ministry, but know that I can go to her with anything. I could not have made it without her by my side.