Best quotes

For a recent course we invited several guest speakers visit the class and share their experiences and thoughts about ministry. After each visit students in the class posted on the course website “Best Quotes” they heard in the presentations.

Here are some “best quotes” from our guests that the students posted:

“No experience is wasted.”
“Not all churches will know how to welcome you.”
“Some congregations won’t know how to let you lead.”
“When interviewing with a congregation ask yourself, “Would I want to go to church here?””
“Read if it kills you.”
“We are caring for people on their spiritual journey.”
“We are at our best when we are most open with each other.”
Nathan Taylor

“Geography does not matter to God as much as the heart of the servant.”
“We are all interim ministers.”
“Don’t give away all your cards.”
“find a network of other friends/associates to debrief.”
Greg Randall

About calling: It’s a “pull between Moses and ‘Here I am.’”
“When to say yes to a ministry calling: when it fits your criteria.”
“When not to leave: in reaction to a problem. You have to work through the problem—if not, your problem will follow you.”
And, to paraphrase, “Never, ever, tell your church you have a chauffeur’s license.”
“You must deal with your problems, or they will follow you.”
Vanessa Ellison

“The graying of the church and the greening of the church happens at the same time.”
“Look at the pastor when considering a ministry position in a church.”
“Be open to new challenges regardless of title.”
Lynn Turner

“Your life structure influences your calling.”
“Doubt can be the seedbed of faith.”
“There is always room for improvement, and that begins with me.”
“Work on your craft. Don’t allow yourself to become stale.”
Terry Maples

“I’ve never pastored a church like me.”
“We don’t grow up till we grow up with our children.”
“Education is not hoop-jumping.”
“Ministry is a lifelong learning process.”
“One person can change a relationship.”
“Get up and go do something for Jesus.”
“Don’t avoid issues. Be redemptive and anticipate them before the trainwreck.”
How to bring about change: “Constant pressure applied at the right place with time.”
Ron Crawford