Rule of My Life

My Philosophy of Life
It’s a common axiom “to live your life to the fullest”; nevertheless a significant imprint is fashioned into my head. I was beginning to ponder of what it is to live to the fullest. The quest to uncover the answer includes a comprehensive research from the reliable source- God. He, as the Creator, is the only One who can provide a concrete response to this ultimate life’s question.

God designed everything out of nothing to become something. He has conceived about my existence. I am created by Him and for Him. I can only live my life to the fullest if I serve the ultimate purpose of my life- to glorify God. Rick Warren says “living for God’s glory is the greatest achievement we can accomplish with our lives”. That may also mean my greatest reward is to see God being pleased with my life.

Intending to give him honor and to share with his cause, allows me to organize every facet of my life according to his perspective. It includes struggling to comprehend his divine will though, it remains my quest! I will be part of God’s pursuit in reaching out the fallen humanity for his own glory.

My Values and Priorities
Using a magnifying glass while looking at the same object, I could use a different kind of lens to find a different observation. When I have come to appreciate about God’s reason for creating me, it has redefined everything. It took a paradigm shift before I have accepted this revolutionary perspective. So the things that I value most serve the ultimate purpose of my life.

Lifestyle Worship
Since God’s ultimate desire of me is to glorify him, worship becomes the way of my life. Worship brings pleasure to God. It is my response to his character. I worship God for who he is not for what he has done. I know God smiles when he sees me doing things that please him. Like any parent who enjoys the moment while gazing upon his or her baby, so does God. He loves staring at me every second of each day in every way. Aware of this, I cultivate a lifestyle of worship. I want to glorify God in everything that I do; in the way that I think or talk; in all areas or circumstances of life; wherever I am.

Value Relationship
Relationship is eternal. Love is what describes the character of God. It serves as the driving force that keeps any relationship last forever. God is never tired of restoring the broken relationship between Him and human beings. He showed his unconditional love for people by sending his begotten son to the world. Jesus regarded “loving God and loving people” as the greatest commandments; and it is all that matters. The Church is built upon relationship with Christ and between his people. It is a community of love; the family of God. I can only relate to God as I develop intimacy with him. And my relationship with people is only as good as my relationship with God. Therefore the deeper I know God the farther I can go beyond myself.

Character Transformation and Spiritual Disciplines
Every life form is designed to grow and multiply. In spiritual life, character transformation marks our spiritual maturity as Christ followers. The height of our growth is opposite to the depth of our attitude. In other words, as we grow into a person of Christ-like character, we learn to become humble like Christ. I have valued every condition as a means of developing my character. I look up to Jesus whenever I struggle in this spiritual quest. In addition, Spiritual disciplines are essentials to my pilgrimage. I believe integrity reflects the authentic relationship with Christ. For this reason, I discipline my body to live a holy life and to be worthy of my calling.

Faith and Personality
God has fashioned us to be individually unique yet wonderfully complex. He gave us different set of traits so that we can express our own personality. It is all for his good pleasure. As we try to relate to an invisible God, our faith is essential. But because we have different makeup we express our faith differently. I think of creative ways to express my faith with God because I believe faith expressed in creative way boosts excellent personality. God deserves our best and I want to be excellent believer of Christ.

Stewardship and Redemption
Stewardship is our prime mandate from God. He entrusted humans to rule over the rests of his creation. However, we have failed to manage it in godly ways when sin entered the world. Then redemption becomes God’s grandest plan for the fallen humanity. God equipped every believer with spiritual gifts and talents, and blessed with all forms of heavenly blessings to redeem the people and the world. Therefore I am a steward and I have a mission.

Eternal Significance
Ministry or mission creates an everlasting impact when it is done without selfish conceit. Even death could not hinder a person, who has died to self and lived in Christ, to change the world by his or her life and service. The kind of service rendered to the people has eternal value. God is honored through it; and that would be eternal. I am pouring out my life to the young people and to develop a youth ministry that will impact not only the youth in our generation but also the generations to come.

My Life’s Vision and Goals
I have envisioned myself to be a man who has touched lives and honored God in his lifetime. Fueled by my passion for the young people, I endeavor to make a small impact upon their lives by sharing my life to them and living a life pleasing to the Lord. It is my hope that they see me as a person who fears God and someone they can emulate in their walk with Christ. I will strive to let them feel loved by me in one way or another.

I love my ministry to the youth and I enjoy watching each of them grow in Christ. When I made a commitment to serve in Youth Ministry, a dynamic transformation happened inside of me as I witnessed some powerful changes in my youngsters. They taught me many things which I could not learn apart from Youth Ministry. I have learned to embrace challenges and conflicts in a way that they push me further to serve them better.

I continually develop some ministry skills in trying to understand this post-modern generation. I always keep in mind that I speak their language or that they can relate to me. Unleashing my creativity is not always easy, sometimes it is painful, but it is paid off well to see at least one young people impacted by such risky attempt. Innovation becomes part of our Youth Ministry and it allows us to think creatively and work out the ideas to make the ministry more vibrant and relevant to the young people.
Several occasions have moved me deeply after knowing at least few of them have decided to follow Christ in their lives. It is always our desire that they thrive in the ministry and help them grow spiritually to be prepared for the challenges of the future. When they experience a genuine love from their leaders, they are drawn to Christ more closely. I am fulfilled to see a glimpse of their gradual transformation as they develop a relationship with Christ.

However, it is also logical to think that not every young people might experience a powerful transformation in my time, so I trust in the power of God to change the person. What motivates me to keep on doing my part is the joy of serving the Lord and honoring him through my sacrifices. I am laying the foundation for the coming generation: a community where they can thrive and a ministry that cares for every young people to become a genuine follower of Christ.

Being at young adult stage, I want to guide the youth and influence my fellow young adults in this spiritual quest. But to draw the spiritual map and build the road signs puts me ahead of the journey in passing through every landmark of spiritual growth. I am dreaming to be a youth minister for life and yearning to master this craft. I want to put everything in paper, substantially written, all the things I learned that will impact the youth ministers and young believers next to my generation. More than that, I am willing to obey God wherever he’s guiding me to go and whatever he’s leading me to do in every milestone of my life.

My Growth Development Plan
Essential to this pilgrimage of becoming the person that God wants me to be, is the discipline for personal and spiritual growth. I have endeavored to develop the character of Christ and achieve a complete transformation. I have set a plan that defines my path toward spiritual maturity.

Seminary Education
Not only does theological seminary prepared seminarians for ministry at but also shapes them to become spiritually mature ministers. In fact I am both personally and spiritually nurtured each time I am inside the classroom. I find it beneficial to interact with the community of ministers, who, like me have desired to be biblically equipped with our theological formulation.

Ministry Involvement
Involvement in ministry comes with a package of excitement and disappointment. Nevertheless, both are beneficial for spiritual development of the minister. I have gone through painful journey while leading the youth and dealing with leaders that shaped me to become mature at some sort. With a right ministry perspective, every painful process points to a joyful outcome.

Skills Development and Continuous Learning
Ministry focus is important to learn the dynamic of a particular ministry. Such attention can rightly develop the necessary skills for the ministry. I would give time to master the youth ministry but I also will never stop learning as change always happens and challenge keeps its existence. Attending ministry relevant specialized training and studying the trend for ministry opportunities are integrated to this plan.

Leisure and Travel
Besides the fact that I love to travel, I intentionally include this as part of my growth plan. Going to different destinations has revitalized my spirit. It replenishes my soul and keeps the passion alive in my heart. I want to connect with God through his wonderful creations and human’s powerful imagination.

Accountability Partner
I am not always strong when I’m alone. My experiences taught me that I need someone to help me succeed in this journey. Some significant people have ministered to me when I was about to give up in ministry. There are also those who have challenged me to be a better follower of Christ.

Spiritual Disciplines
People who were renowned to be “faith giants” have one thing in common: spiritual disciplines. I am beginning to develop my own spiritual disciplines become a habit. I kept on praying, studying scriptures, and having a quiet time with God to make my relationship with God intimate and personal. I am committed to cultivate my integrity and live a life away from sin.

I understand that I will always struggle to become faithful to this growth plan, but one thing I know, I will never give up my faith in God. I put my trust in his grace that one day he will completely transform me to become like his son and will bring a completely redemption to all my struggles.

I know the Holy Spirit is cooperating with me so that I would desire and do only the things that would please God. Even if I have failed to glorify him, I am praying that my desire to glorify God glorifies him.

King David, a man after God’s heart really knew the heart of God.
“Surely your goodness and unfailing love
will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.”

I know that God will never give up on me because his love extends his patience. It is also my commitment to never stop loving him with all I am. I will always conform to his will and live in the presence of the LORD, even if it requires suffering or death. It is my rule of life.

They Call Me Pastor (How to love the ones you lead)

I was thrilled to read this book besides how it is titled, but on the ground to discover the promises of my pastoral calling and to confirm my struggles in ministry as youth pastor. I am awestruck to find out its profound introduction “love your people to greatness”. Without question or reservation, I am eager to learn how to love them more!

God’s commandments are summed up by Jesus in his Greatest Commandments. It is all about love- loving God and loving people. This highest directive is given to pastors as Christ’s agents of love in the church and to the world. Unfortunately, those who have failed to genuinely act upon their holy mandate have brought staggering image which caused some to wander in their faith, unbelievers who have doubted the Church mission, and stained the minister’s high reputation.

This book offers celebration and anticipation to this God-ordained office. It guides every pastor to enjoy the title “pastor” and to love his congregation the way Jesus loves the Church. H.B. grew to love the title and joyfully respond to it to this day. “It made me feel special when they called me pastor” (cf. 11). Pastors must love those they serve in greatness, that’s the message of this book!

The Shepherd who loves and leaves a legacy
A pastor cannot be promoted from the pastorate even if he is called to do another kind of ministry. Perhaps it is apparently the highest office inside the Christ-established holy organization. But the love between the pastor and the parishioners is worth cherishing. Pastor must communicate his genuine love for his congregation in different and remarkable ways. He can leave a permanent mark that they could treasure forever.

The word ‘pastor’ has beautiful sense and it represents a unique relationship. But it is more than a fulfilling job; it is a way of life (cf. 21). There will be instances when a pastor cannot do anything to ease the pain of his people, but his “holy” presence is enough to show how much he loves and cares for them. He may feel restless because of his limitation, yet the people he has joined with in their suffering will remember how much they were valued by their pastor.

Every pastor is willing to die just to make a significant impact in the lives of his people. Often times he would introduce change to the congregation. While change is necessary for growth, he must only insinuate change far beyond the sake of change. Change can be scary.

A strong opposition can be an alarming signal on their distrust or lack of confidence to the pastor. He must be determined to clear the clouds and win their trust. They are willing to change if they trust their pastor. Great opportunities lies for the church in furthering the gospel when trust between the pastor and people has been established. A less effort is necessary to motivate the church to make a great impact beyond their comfort zone to the place of the unknown.

The Counselor who cares and confronts
People are the reason for church’s being. Every aspect of church ministry is designed for the people we serve. Without them the church won’t exist. The pastor must understand that he ministers to them in the name of love. He must accept their flaws and challenge them to become genuine followers of Christ. Steadfastly, a pastor will discover also the treasure in the broken vessels of his people. If he shows how much he cares regardless of the failures or troubles his member got involved in, the Spirit of God can transform the person and become one of his lasting ministry rewards.

What seemed to be a deadwood is not really dead. Members who have gone for a long time, or those who have wandered in faith, for whatever reason, can also be a good target for ministry. His love for people extends as he endeavors to reach them out and the church attempts to reconcile with them. It could be the best time to apply forgiveness though; it necessarily lived out all the time. While forgiveness is more easily preached than lived, it stands at the center of the Christian faith. He can be humbled by his great love for people. “Sometimes the pastor needs to stand before the congregation and say, I am sorry” (cf. 85,86).

A pastor may have in mind that conflict always comes from his people. So with all the necessary efforts he tries to become a peacemaker. He may not be aware all the time, but to be candid about it, sometimes the pastor inflicts conflict between him and his congregants. In the name Christ, he must commit himself to offer a truce and be a peacemaker regardless how difficult it is.

Counseling is one of the privileges that the pastor can give his congregation. But with the pressing needs in different areas of pastoral ministry, he could make it to one while neglecting the others. It would be wise to refer some counseling sessions to Christian counselors, specialists of a kind in various needs of humankind.

The Leader who trust through triumph and tragedies
It is said that the greatest lesson we could learn can be taught by our triumphal tragedy. Perhaps it’s the remarkable event that makes everything so clearly vivid in our memory. More than that, it’s our faith in God that gives us a victorious walk throughout the valleys of life and ministry. Not everything can be explained by a pastor, but God expects a pastor to be with the victims to help them find light again during their darkest situations. It is his mandate to assure them of the love of God and help them find a new way back to their faith in Him.

In ministry, obstacles are what mostly frustrate some pastors and impede the church for its growth. But pastor, as agent of transformation must turn obstacles into opportunities to further the cause of Christ. A prayer of desperation causes his eyes to be widely open in order to see new opportunities for ministry.

In today’s moral filth easily thrown to anyone, by whom the pastor is no exception, the character matters a lot. A pastor must be proactive in protecting his marriage while actively carrying out his pastoral ministry. However, he must develop a deeper sensitive stance in voicing out against sin without necessarily condemning the sinners. Jesus hated sin but he showed his love and compassion for the sinners.

Sadly, there are also leaders who become hungry for power. They want to be in control. This kind of attitude can cloud the clear direction of the church towards growth. Any pastor can avoid this tendency by realizing the Spirit of God is the one in control. In times of turmoil, the pastor can show how much he trusts God in his calmness and sobriety. God is always at work and His will always prevail.

The Minister who loves at home
There are ministers who have thought already how they’re going to leave a legacy in ministry. Unfortunately, their family became a sacrificial lamb in this pursuit. But it shouldn’t be anymore. We can learn from history, that healthy ministry begins at home. A pastor must communicate and show love to his family before bringing it out to the congregation. No amount of success can compensate for failed marriage or dysfunctional family. The pastor’s family must be assured that they are the most important people in his life. His marriage, family and ministry will leave a significant imprint that can be passed on to the next generation.

In partnership with the Father
I believe a vibrant church has a lot of dreams and they never stop dreaming. If the pastor believes God can do everything in accordance with his will and purpose, then he must not to stop from dreaming. He can only make a significant change after he has dreamed and prayed about it. Dreams give us hope and the possibility of new outcomes. It reminds us to continually depend on God.

Sometimes we bring to God the general things and leave the specific details in our hands. A pastor may think of something, work for it, then later he would discover it is not what God wants. But that’s okay. The important thing is that he discovered God wants to be involved not only in general but also in specific details of the plan.

Observing the Sabbath is important for every minister because it makes us in tune with the Father. It is the best opportunity for pastor to reflect, seek the will of the Father, and purify his thoughts, just being alone with God.

Growing the church the God way points the pastor to complete reverence and total dependence to the leading of the Spirit. In addition, Christ attracts. Christ-likeness becomes a magnet for unbelievers. They thrived in churches that depict the image of Christ in their lives. Had it be the case in every church across the world, the advancement of the gospel could be fulfilled soon. It is a challenge for pastor to disciple his people and to remain faithful to the work of Spirit.

Pastor’s integrity is also validated by his personal holiness. Ministers who had fallen from grace have separated their personal life from their ministry. Many have suffered the consequence greater than the cause. The desire for holiness must be the pastor’s ultimate goal because he serves the God who cannot tolerate sin. Irvin Busenitz says “The focal point of any ministry is godliness. Ministry is, and always must be, an overflow of a godly life.”

Personal Reflection
Despite the authors target the married senior pastor, I know I have gathered some significant principles that I could apply to my ministry as youth pastor. I need not be married yet to love my young people in greatness. Though I am still hesitant to be called as youth pastor, it makes me feel good to be identified as a person who serves God and his people and to be called as God’s agent of love. It dawns me that I doing a noble task of reconciling the youth generation to the loving arms of the Father. And in doing so, I must learn to love them the way the Father loves them. I have to understand the heart and the mind of God as I pour out my life to them.

Being a novice youth pastor, I always find myself struggling in many areas of my life. One of which is in the pursuit for holiness. There’s a part in my mind that harbors fear every time I have committed sin. But in the same space I also find a broken spirit eager to surrender and ask for His forgiveness and cleansing once again. I know I am still far from being perfect and I am only as good as my relationship with God.

In my early years as youth minister, I was quick to apply changes in our youth ministry based on new ideas I have borrowed from others. I was tough to face significant oppositions that I would end up frustrated and devastated. I would like to think that because of this struggle, I could not sense any tangible results in youth ministry.

As I continue to study the Scripture, I realized there are lessons that I had to learn the hard way. God has shown his unconditional love and abounding grace despite of my failures and shortcomings. The painful experiences I had gone through made me a better minister. I am encouraged to follow Christ in my life and ministry and to cultivate a genuine love for my young people.

This formative season in seminary has also shaped my perspective in ministry. I am learning to understand the perspective of God in doing ministry. Every academic requirement draws me closer to the Father in order to seek for knowledge and wisdom. It excites me to apply the principles I’ve learned from the class and colleagues to my own youth ministry in a slowly-but-surely way.