Growing in Grace: How a Pastor's Personal Growth in His Various Vocations Influences and Enhances Ministry.

Abstract

The pastor is tasked with a multitude of duties in his ministry that he strives to do well. The pastor’s vocational responsibilities do not stop at the church’s door. He has various vocations outside of ministry that will need the same amount of attention. The pastor aims to better himself as a husband, father, citizen, and most importantly, a child of God through personal growth. The concept of personal growth has been around since the Greek philosophers, and the interest in bettering oneself is still prevalent to this day. The secular world has countless advice and resources for the pastor, but he will constantly review these methods in light of God’s Word. As sinful human beings, pastors will continuously fall short of perfection in their vocations. Even though perfection cannot be reached, aiming towards growth in his various vocation through accountability, reading, life planning, and organizations such as Grow in Grace and CrossTrain Ministries, etc., will help enhance the pastor’s ministry. This thesis seeks to explore the concept of personal growth in the vocations outside of ministry and how they influence and enhance ministry.