One of the characteristics that I want in my ministry is longevity. Longevity is something that I think has been underrated among pastors in the recent past. Lately, I have been hearing a lot about it all over the blogasphere. I am encouraged by the trend that seems to be happening among us.

I had a strong influence of longevity in my life in terms of ministry. The only man I knew as a preacher until I was eighteen was at the church I accepted Jesus in for over 35 years. In some ways I see my youth minister as a greater example. In the late 80’s and early 90’s when youth ministries were seen as a stepping stone for bigger and better things more than being passionate about students, my youth minister was my youth minister for fourteen years…FOURTEEN YEARS.

These men modeled commitment to a community. I knew they would be there. So many pastors can get seduced into the “Grass is Greener on the Other Side” syndrome. We believe that we can leave all of our problems in a locale, meanwhile, the locale is left in transition for the ?? time. A church and a pastor is better off with longevity. I want to model longevity to the next gen pastors who come along. I want to be Bill and Ken to someone else. Thanks Bill and Ken!