Posted by Joe Sherman

I’ve had an amazing opportunity over the years to work with pastors, to be a pastor, and come alongside of those who preach and teach and do their very best to serve the Church. It’s truly been a wonderful experience, far beyond what I ever could have imagined.

I like pastors. They are typically a unique bunch of people: full of life, smart, interesting, fun. Sure, I’ve also met my share of dull pastors along the way, just plain boring people. But for the most part, pastors are engaging, interesting, and great to be around. When pastors are together they laugh hard. And they cry hard — tears of real hurt and sadness. I admire them. Pastors inspire me.

Here are two observations of pastors that have come over the years. These truths make pastors who they are, and I believe most clergy would confirm these things as absolutely essential.

First and foremost, pastors are absolutely committed to fulfilling their calling. This is their essential identity. It’s personal and deeply defining. Every pastor somewhere along the way has said “Yes!” to God and the invitation to give their lives completely to following God’s leading and direction into ministry. Often this is a scary invitation – the road ahead is unclear and not all the details have been made known, but there has been a profound and resounding “Yes!” that defines the very heart and soul of a called person. That big “Yes” is followed by hundreds, thousands of smaller ones along the way, as we live out our calling, but it all starts with the first big “Yes.”

This calling is very personal. When a pastor opens their heart, one of the most intimate things they could share with you would be that they must fulfill their calling. It defines them and it drives them.

Here’s a second observation. If fulfilling their calling is a pastor’s personal quest, then building church vitality is a pastor’s professional quest. Here’s a secret: not one pastor woke up this morning and said, “Today I would really like to fail.” Not one. Every morning a pastor wakes up with a commitment and a desire to be faithful in the work of ministry that God has called them to do that day. Every day! Certainly there are discouragements and frustrations along the way, but discouragements and frustrations do not block the essential knowledge and desire that this day will be a day where God’s Kingdom is brought a little closer to the places where we serve and lead. This is an amazing reality!

Church vitality is unique for each church and church leader. For some, it’s defined by those who respond to an invitation to follow God. Or by those who serve or are involved in mission. For some it’s the number of communicants. Church vitality reflects God’s unique thumbprint for each church and it is absolutely what every pastor gives him or herself to every day.

Obviously pastors are ordinary people, and they have families, passions, interests, and desires that round out their life. At least healthy pastors do. But the most essential and compelling things about a pastor is their personal need to fulfill their calling and their professional need to build the vitality of their church.