Image via WikipediaAnyone familiar with flying an aircraft will state that a fundamental, aeronautical truth is that the ATTITUDE of an airplane will have a direct effect on the ALTITUDE of the plane. “Nose down” means that you are headed towards the Earth. “Nose up” means that you are headed skyward. The ATTITUDE of the nose of the aircraft, as directed by the flaps and rudder, will determine the rate of descent or ascent. In other words, “ATTITUDE DETERMINES ALTITUDE!” Such it is with pastoring a church. The quality of ministry in any local assembly is greatly determined by the ATTITUDE of its leadership.
There are two important areas of a pastor’s life which he must be careful with concerning his attitude.
#1 – The Pastor’s Countenance
(1 Timothy 4:12) “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (KJV)
The local church will take on the personality of its pastor. The longer he is there, the more its members will resemble its leader in attitude and such. In view of this truth, answer the following questions about the attitude of your personal leadership as pastor.
- Pastor, are you repressive or optimistic?
- Pastor, are you problem oriented or solution oriented?
- Pastor, are you in despair, or a ray of hope?
- Pastor, are you tense or are you relaxed?
The attitude which you consistently project will be what you end up working with overall. Yes, there is a learning curve in the ministry, but beware of how you display your attitude. Pretending will wear off after a while. Your true nature will shine forth regardless of how you dress it up. It is best to work on your attitude so it is genuinely pleasing to Christ!
#2 – The Pastor’s Mind
(2 Corinthians 10:5) “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (KJV)
My grandma used to say that the idle mind is the Devil’s workshop. I feel that she did not miss the truth by far! One of a pastor’s most valuable assets is his mind. Satan surely knows this and will seek to wage war. The #1 battlefield of a man of God is not with the lost man, the world in general, nor his wayward church family. It is within his own body, and his own faculties. The battlefield is in the pastor’s MIND!
Two dangers to be noted here:
Intimidation – We should not be intimidated, but many times our attitude lends itself to this. God warned Ezekiel about this issue. Study Ezekiel 2:6 and the context within the surrounding verses. This is surely helpful to the intimidated preacher of God’s Word!
(Proverbs 29:25) “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” (KJV)
Spiritual Inferiority Complex – When we get our eyes off of Jesus and on ourselves, then we will end up feeliing abnormally inferior. Worry, and its cousins will rob us of the fire and zeal which are so needed to inspire the confidence of those we serve.
(Philippians 4:13) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (KJV)
Consider a few questions about your mind…
- Pastor, is your mind clear or cluttered?
- Pastor, is your mind virtuous or grotesque?
- Pastor, is your mind sharp or seared with sin’s desensitizing power?
- Pastor, is your mind occupied with other folk’s needs or just about your needs?
- Pastor, is your mind centered upon Christ or upon carnal amusements?
Conclusion
Make no mistake about this issue. Attitude determines altitude! Our countenance will reveal what is on our minds and our minds will feed our countenance. It is in everyone’s best interest to faithfully follow Christ and keep a good attitude about life so as to be a sharper tool in the omnipotent hand of our Master!
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