Several years ago, I found the following from Pastor Bob Kelley who went Home to Glory on October 28, 2006. I believe these practical lessons wrought out of forty-three years of ministry will be of great help and encouragement to you as you begin 2023, a new year of living out the Christ-life in His ministry.
- Your best sermon is your family; love your wife and teach your children to stay close.
- Empty wells produce dead cats and dry leaves—personal devotions are a must to prevent burnout and keep a fresh presence of the Lord.
- Love people as they are, rough edges and all, and never, ever give up on them.
- You do not get what you want in life and ministry; you get what you are—character matters.
- Never, ever lose your burden for souls.
- Guard your tongue.
- Learn to calculate what is worth making an issue over—learn the difference between convictions and preferences.
- God called us to build people, not ministries or buildings.
- Make good friends.
- Have fun! Stay excited! Laugh! People ought to want your job!
- Die to self, and don’t be all day in doing it! Rise early and get going!
- The best protection against falling into sin is to practice hating it.
- Count your blessings—then record them. Don’t rely on your memory to recall all of God’s goodness.
- Say “thank you” every time and every way you can. A thankful attitude covers a multitude of sins
- Exercise your faith. A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.
- Never forget the judgment seat of Christ.
- Always remember—God can get along just fine without you!
From A Pastor's Heart 