The One Thing Pastors In Their 20’s Should Consider Focusing On (After Character)

Imagine three pastors in their 20’s. 

The first jumps into a larger church in a highly specialized, niche role. This pastor gets to see ministry done at a large scale with resources and staff. 

The second enters into another internship at a different church to get further exposure and hands-on experience without the weight and burden of heavy responsibility. 

The third takes on a part-time role as the youth pastor at a smaller church. This pastor feels the burden of responsibility week in and week out. 

Of these 3, which pastor has chosen the best route in their 20’s?

In my humble, I believe it’s the third one - the pastor who is being stretched.

I make this case according to a book entitled “So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love” by Cal Newport. In it, he contrasts two different mindsets when it comes to growing in one’s area of work.

The first is the “passion mindset.” This approach, according to Newport, focuses on what value the world offers you (ie. ideal work environment, attractive job description, compensation package, etc.). The other mindset is the “craftsman mindset.” This approach focuses on the value one offers to the world through one’s skills, abilities, etc.

Newport makes the case that only the craftsman mindset leads an individual to steadily builds one’s skills through rigorous practice and repetition forged in strenuous work so that the individual builds what he calls “career capital” or “rare and valuable skills.” He reasons that “career capital” is to be built up and invested at a later time.

I believe this is insightful because pastors in their 20’s can feel the pull toward externalities of passion: “What great positions are out there?” “What’s a relevant church to serve at?” “Who do I want to be able to say I serve with?” But without focused development of one’s skills and capabilities, the attainment of those very desires could become a trap. One could actually land the position and realize one has not developed the skillsets to keep the position. One could claim to serve at a certain church, but not be considered for a role one desires.

In other words, character is king. Nothing matters more than character.

But after? Competency is queen. Therefore, pastors in their 20’s have the incredible opportunity to put in the work, develop the gifts God has given to them, build up the skills necessary to be the pastor God intends for them to be when the time comes (future) while serving others passionately and with intensity in the meantime (present). 

So what does this look like? Here are a few suggestions: 

1. See the Development Opportunity in Every Position 

I’m not saying you should take any position, but at least do an honest inventory of the opportunities of every position. For example, the part-time youth pastor at a small church gets to teach regularly, manage a budget, lead a volunteer team, and proactively disciple students. Imagine this over the course of 5 years. Not only will the pastor be more developed but the youth group will have greatly benefited.

2. Learn to Love the Grind 

There are pastors who are passionate about finding “the right position” and there are other pastors who passionate about becoming “the right pastor.” In my humble opinion, the latter will blow by the prior over the course of time. This is because the lover of the craft always outworks the worker of the craft. It’s one thing to write an email, it’s another to want to write great emails. It’s one thing to preach on stage, it’s another thing to love the very preparation process.

3. Value “Succeeding” in Real Life More Than In Social Media 

There’s always more to the story than social media isn’t there? There are pastors who look like “influencers” online but if you follow them around in person at their church, you might be surprised how much of their ministry is poorly tended to. Then there are other pastors who are so unimpressive online but are respected by their people, serving them well, and leading with integrity. It’s so much better to appear small but be respected than to appear big when the very people closest to you don’t buy the hype.

Concluding Thoughts

But is any of this Biblical?

In the parable of the talents, the good and faithful servants were those who stewarded what they were given. Pastors are given ministries, but pastors are also given a mind, skillset, and precious resources for development in a knowledge work economy.

Pastors in their 20s have the awesome opportunity to harness the very things God has placed before and inside of them in order to build something of value for others to God’s glory. This can absolutely turn into a personal Kingdom of Babel if motivations aren’t checked. But it can also turn into a “wicked and lazy servant” if not activated either.

Ministry opportunities will come, but it may serve pastors in their 20s well to love the shepherd’s staff before the crown (David), to embrace the private training before public release (Paul).

After all, this was the way of our Lord Jesus, who leaned into artisanry before he ever gave a sermon.