Encouragement for Pastor's to Finish Well

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.” Numbers 8:23-26 (ESV)

I am enjoying a time of refreshing at Camp Spofford, the EFCA Camp in NH where I met my wife and that placed such a significant role in the spiritual formation of my children.  Our speaker this week is Dr. Gary Hoag.  Here is his blog, The Generosity Monk, where you can learn a little bit more about him.  Gary referred to this verse in this morning chapel message.  It was definitely one of the Rhema word moments. I found a post that Dr. Hoag did about these verses entitled, Four Insights for God's Workers.  He finds in these verses from numbers four insights to frame the later years of God's servants.  They are  Seasons, Shift, Support and Stay.  I found these insights very helpful and hopefully will too.



I am in a season of discernment seeking to understand what the next 10-12 years of ministry life look for me.  It was very exciting to me as I approach my 60th birthday that God has already thought through in part what it means for a minister to finish well.  Finishing well means remaining with God's people, in God's service, supporting, praying for, ministering to in whatever way we can the next generation of leaders that God is raising up.  For those of you are approaching similar milestones to mine, be encouraged that your most fruitful ministry could be in front of you as you give away to those coming up everything you have learned and experienced.  For those thinking though the issue of generational transition, let's make utilizing the giftedness of experienced leaders an important part of how we come alongside the next generation as they engage in they execute the sacred trust of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom.