I received a request from a seminary student. He had a class project where he is to ask a pastor about
his vision for ministry
his greatest challenges
his greatest joys
and any words of counsel
This is what I wrote.
My vision for ministry is to serve Jesus in whatever way He determines and to help the people of Faith Reformed to do the same. I do not have a list of concrete goals (such as size of congregation, specific programs established, or the like). I have adopted the mentality that what I need to do is to ask for the Spirit's guidance as I preach, teach, write and lead. And it is my expectation (and experience) that He will tell me what I need to know when I need to know it. To be sure, there are some very long-term goals that guide my prayers: 'Hallowed by Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven'. As a result, my planning for the future is basically a matter of studying for the sermons I preach and the Bible studies I teach. I read a great deal of various sorts of things to provide the Spirit with lots of ideas to work with as He guides me. I have consciously kept away from anything close to the American business model (e.g., five year plans). I don't see that sort of thing in the Scriptures. Basic to this approach is time reading the Scriptures and time in prayer. My great joys are all about seeing the people of Faith Reformed adopt the same game plan of following Jesus wherever He leads, whatever the cost. I can't really say that I have serious challenges. Being a church is being a group of saints who still sin. So, dealing with sin - my own first and then others' - isn't a challenge. It's just the way life is in this fallen world.
So, the basic game plan:
read the Scriptures (and other literature)
think about what I'm reading
pray
listen to the Spirit
do what He tells me
As for words of wisdom: I would stress the importance of working hard at personal piety (which is very different from 'pietism') and the great benefit of an older, wiser man as mentor.