Pastors, Preachers, Leaders and Teachers, Don’t Quit on Monday: Living Between the Sundays

By Dr. Paul D. Stevens Sr.

This book is written for Pastors and Ministry leaders who have been faithful to their calling. I want to encourage these men and women to remain faithful to their vocation. It goes without saying that ministry isn’t always easy. There are times when doing the work of the Lord can be overwhelming to the point of wanting to walk away from it all. It is a fact that many who serve in ministry suffer from burnout, stress and depression. It is the intent of this author to share some of the reasons why pastors, preachers and ministry leaders want to quit the ministry and why they need to re-evaluate what they are doing and find ways to work smarter and not harder. As you read through this book it is my hope that you learn two things. First, you are not alone when you feel like calling it quits and secondly, you will find ways to slow down, catch your breath and do what is necessary to have a refreshing and effective ministry.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781728332413

Dr. Paul D. Stevens Sr.

Paul D. Stevens, Sr. is a P.K. Yes, he is a preacher’s kid. As a matter of fact, Paul is a fourth generation Baptist preacher. From a young child, he has seen ministry from the inside out. Paul has observed the many challenges of ministry by watching his late father, Rev. Willie Stevens, Jr. give his all to the pastorate for over 40 years. Paul has seen the good, the bad and the ugly of what ministry is all about. He has been in the gospel ministry for over 35 years. Paul began preaching at the age of 24 and has been a servant leader for over three decades. This author has been on ministry staffs in several capacities, called to pastor at the age of 26, planted a church and has given Senior Pastor leadership to the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in San Antonio for over 20 years.

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© 2020 Dr. Paul D. Stevens, Sr. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/17/2020

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3242-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3240-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3241-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020912548

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

KJV

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Public Domain

NKJV

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1 How Do You See Yourself?

Chapter 2 I Can’t Quit, the Work Is Too Great

Chapter 3 Count the Cost

Chapter 4 Stay With Your God Given Vision

Chapter 5 The Tired Arms of Ministry

Chapter 6 Beware of the Real Enemy

Chapter 7 Don’t Quit On Monday

Chapter 8 How’s Your Track Record With God?

Chapter 9 Go Deeper with God

Chapter 10 Living Between the Sundays

Chapter 11 Recharge Your Spiritual Battery

Chapter 12 Dealing with Discouragement

Chapter 13 Getting Through Your Whatever

Chapter 14 Remain Faithful

Conclusion

Notes

DEDICATION

I want to dedicate this book to all active pastors, preachers, ministry leaders and teachers who are blessed to serve in the gospel ministry for many years.

To all of my brother and sisters who have labored long and hard. You have served well and have now retired from your ministry responsibilities. Praise God you are now able to enjoy a new season of life and the fruits of your labor.

Thanks for not quitting

Sermon Preached by Rev. Dr. Paul D. Stevens

for Retirement Services of the late Rev. Dr. R.L. Archield, Sr.

on

November 27, 2016

3:30 p.m.

at

Friendship Baptist Church

San Antonio, Texas

Finishing Ministry with Joy

Acts 20:20-32 (NKJV)

Today is an awesome day. It is an historical day. We have gathered in this sacred house and we have come to celebrate this man of God, Rev. Dr. R. L. Archield, Sr. for 53 years of faithful service as pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church. If you add the 10 and a half years of pastoring in Houston, that is 63 plus years of leading the people of God. 63 years as a pastor is a long time, but spending 53 years at one church is even longer, remarkable and impressive. From the age of 34 years old to 87 years old, you have been faithful to your God-given assignment.

Over five decades at Friendship Baptist Church. Over five decades of preaching, over five decades teaching Bible studies, and leading or attending prayer meetings. Over five decades of officiating at weddings and funerals. Countless counseling sessions, hospital visits, jail visits and home visitations. If we were to do some basic math and look at 53 years of preaching in this church we would see some staggering numbers. If we add one sermon per Sunday, that’s over 2,756 sermons. If we add night services, afternoon services and funerals, Pastor Archield, you have preached over 5,512 sermons in 53 years.

Then when we look at this building, the edifice in which we are worshipping in this afternoon, it is a reminder of the vision that Dr. Archield, Sr. had received from God for the people of God. Even though this building was erected in 1975, it still has a modern look.

How commendable it is for Rev. Dr. R.L. Archield, Sr. to walk out of the pastoral ministry on his own accord, in his own time and with his own two feet. He didn’t have to be rolled out of here in a coffin, feet first. Although Pastor Archield is retiring from the pastorate, he is not retiring from preaching. It is wonderful to see a man of God transition from the pastorate to enjoy what God has prepared for him in his latter days; especially after laboring for such a long time.

It is said that 1,500 pastors leave ministry each month. 33% of pastors felt burn-out in the first five years of ministry. 90% of pastors work 50 hours a week while 70% of pastors have no close friends. Severe stress, depression, fear and alienation is reported by 75% of pastors. (www.pastorburnout.com)

Let’s look at our text. In Acts 20, Paul gives a powerful message about the priority of the gospel. He talks about how ethic should be at work when you preach the gospel. In Acts 20:17, Paul wanted to reach Jerusalem before Pentecost and did not have time to wait for another ship to come along. So while he was in Miletus, he sent a message to the elders who were in Ephesus and surrounding areas to meet with him. Paul preaches a sermon to the church leaders - the elders who shepherded the church of God.

Bible scholars and theologians say that Paul believed this would be his final farewell to the leaders of many of the house churches which he had started. Paul was convinced by the Holy Spirit that this was his last missionary trip. Since this was Paul’s farewell sermon he wanted to tell them what was on his mind. Paul wanted to safeguard the church about their future without him. Pastor Archield after 53 years here, I know that you can say and have said what has been on your mind.

So how does a pastor finish the pastoral ministry with joy? C.S. Lewis said, Joy is the serious business of heaven. If we are going to follow Pastor Archield’s example and finish with joy there are three things we must do.

1. Confident In Your Call vs 19-20

When the pastor knows who he is and whose he is, it is easy to be confident. Paul says, I’ve served the Lord with humility. I’ve shed some tears. I’ve had some trials and have even been plotted against. But I was confident that the Lord called me to preach the Word".

In Acts 20:20, Paul says, I kept nothing back. I gave everything I had. If it could help you, I proclaimed it to you. I taught the word publicly and privately from house to house (NKJV).

2. Committed to the Will of God vs 23-24

When the pastor is committed to God’s will, he knows that he has to face some unseen dangers. The Holy Spirit will warn the pastor about what lies ahead of him. In the book, The Cost of Discipleship, author, theologian and pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, when Christ calls a man, He bids him to come and die.

No matter what is for me, I can’t worry about myself. In verse 24, none of those things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself. If I stay committed to the will of God, I will finish my race with joy. I want to finish my ministry knowing that I testified to the gospel of the grace of God. Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.

3. Concerned about God’s Sheep vs 27-32

One of the primary roles of a shepherd is to feed the sheep in his care. It is the pastor’s job to make sure the sheep are getting a healthy diet. In verse 27, for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. What he is saying is that I gave you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Paul knew that if the sheep were healthy they could make it through some tough times when the shepherd was not around. That is why the pastor is not a hireling. He knows the sheep and the sheep know him. Look at verses 29-30. Church, if you allow yourself to be hood-winked and bamboozled, didn’t I cease to warn you night and day with tears? Pastor Archield after this service is over phones are going to start ringing. Preachers and pastors are going to start calling the members of Friendship trying to get their feet in the door. They are just wolves in sheep clothing. They believe that they can do it better than you have done. They can preach better, teach better, lead better and the list goes on.

Paul tells the elders in verse 32, the best I can do is commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified (Acts 20:32 NKJV). What Paul was saying is that I commit you to the care of the Lord, I entrust you, I put you in the hands of God. I recommend you to the Lord.

Pastor Archield I have watched you carefully for over 18 years and I have seen joy on you. I’ve seen Jesus On You. The joy that you have, the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away. You have surely finished ministry with joy. Pastor I believe if you were to tell all of us who have