I thought it was appropriate after the quick thoughts on how you can help young ministers grow into their ministry that I turn the tables– Here’s a handful of quick thoughts on how young ministers can help themselves grow in their ministry.

1. Don’t Starve Your Faith. Giving more means you need to take in more. Don’t forsake the faith that you’re working for.
2. Ask for Correction. Invite pastors overseeing you for advice, help, and prayer. Being teachable will help you keep the right attitude. It will also show your pastor that you value their input and leadership.
3. Honor Your Leadership. “A house divided cannot stand” a really good guy once said. Don’t be ignorant (re: others) or arrogant (re: yourself). Honor, protect, and obey your leadership.
4. Find a Mentor. Find someone that you respect and admire and allow them to mentor you. This will take effort and time, but the experience is invaluable. This might be the most difficult tip of all– something I still need to do.
5. Invest in Yourself. Stay in school, even if it’s one class at a time. Go to conferences. Spend $15 on a book and read it. Ask smarter pastors and good men and women out to coffee. Do anything you can to stay sharp and invest on the one thing that will give you a good return– you.

Josh blogs at http://joshherndon.com and twitters at joshua_herndon.