by Robert Earl Houston
1. Never advertise where you’re going to preach. Some church members want to hear only their pastor.
2. Trust God in the process.
3. Never criticize or fight your or another pastor – it will come back to haunt you. And, it opens you to reap the same when (or if) you pastor.
4. Always have a sermon ready – you never know when you may have to preach on the spot.
5. Never enter another church’s pulpit without invitation from the Pastor. It’s better to be asked up than asked down.
6. Encourage your pastor and fellow associates.
7. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy your time as an associate. The day may come when you wind up as a pastor and you’ll look back on the days when you sat under your pastor, etc.
8. Stick by your pastor. Repeat stick by your pastor.
9. Never end a sermon without expressing the hope and power of the crucifixion, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
10. Now is the time to start investing in your ministry. Instead of $800 gators on your feet, get Logos or Word Search. Instead of $1,500 to hang out in Vegas, use that money and go to IC3 or E.K. Bailey or other major conferences that will bless your ministry.
This is not a criticism nor a critique. This is just a few words from someone who has been an Associate Minister, an Interim Pastor, an Administrative Assistant, and a Senior Pastor. My desire as I knock on the door of 60 is to be a blessing to preachers and pastors, especially this next generation – which I believe will be THE critical generation to the Church.
