Jimmy Dodd - Survive or Thrive: 6 Relationships Every Pastor Needs

About the Author

Jimmy Dodd is founder and president of PastorServe. A graduate of Wheaton College (BA) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv), he pastored in Chicago, Boston, Greenville (South Carolina), Kansas City, and Colorado Springs, where he served for ten years on the teaching team of Woodmen Valley Chapel. A well-known speaker, Jimmy has had the privilege of making more than 125 trips to train leaders in third world countries. In 2000, he helped launch Cross International, a ministry devoted to serving the poorest of the poor. Jimmy and his wife, Sally, have five children, one daughter-in-law, and one granddaughter. Two of their daughters were adopted from China. In his spare time, Jimmy can be found with his family, walking Murphy the dog, or at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, cheering on his beloved Jayhawks.

Section 3

Gospel Transformation

Taking the All-Important Next Steps

We are at the point where it is essential to talk about next steps. And any discussion of next steps always begins at the question of motivation. Why are you going to take next steps? What encouragement do you need to begin taking steps for the right reason in the right direction? And any discussion of motivation takes us back to the chains of religion and the freedom of the gospel.

It is only the gospel that can motivate us to deep life change and permanent inner transformation. External motivation, which is always centered in religion, cannot provide the long-term stimulus needed. Remember:

Religion centers itself on behavior modification.

The gospel brings deep, inner transformation.

Religion says, He who has the best front stage is the most spiritual.

The gospel says, He who is open about the back stage is the most real.

Religion reforms people on the outside.

The gospel transforms people on the inside.

Religion says, I begrudgingly obey; therefore, I am accepted.

The gospel says, I am accepted; therefore, I joyfully obey.

Religion needs a list to feel justified.

The gospel reminds us that we are justified because Jesus is the list.

Religion tells us that we are saved through obedience to Jesus.

The gospel declares that we are saved by the obedience of Jesus.

Religion says, I obey in order to get things from God.

The gospel says, I obey in order to delight in God.

Religion finds God useful.

The gospel finds God beautiful.

Religion makes people nice.

The gospel makes people new.

Religion motivates through insecurity and fear.

The gospel motivates through freedom and joy.

Religion drives us to hide in the darkness of fear and self-loathing.

The gospel frees us to come into the light of self-disclosure.

Religion says, If people really knew me, they wouldnt like me.

The gospel says, Fully known by God and fully loved by God.

Religion is death.

The gospel is life, peace, and freedom.

Section 3 is a call to implement the lessons of sections 1 and 2. It begins with an honest assessment: Am I on the right road? If not, what does repentance look like? It again asks the question, what steps will I take to escape isolation and come into relational community? It reminds us that our freedom is found only in Jesus. It reminds us that we have life because of the shed blood of Jesus. Above all, section 3 reminds us that the lessons of this book can bring about lasting transformation only if we are motivated by the gospel.

Notes

Chapter 5: Pauls Thorn and Charlies Angels

.Youll find this attributed to Oswald Chambers all over the Internet, and in fact, I have used this quote for years. But neither my editor nor I were able to locate the original source material, and one of us remains unconvinced about its attribution to Chambers.

Chapter 9: Hey, Coach! Put Me In!

Chapter 10: Counselor: Scrubbing the Wound

Chapter 12: Every Pastor Needs a Friend

About PastorServe

In an effort to help the church reach its full redemptive potential, PastorServe works across denominational lines to support, encourage, train, equip, coach, and consult with pastors across the country. Founded in 1999, PastorServe has been recognized as one of the leading organizations helping pastors and churches navigate the challenges they faceduring seasons of crisis and noncrisis. PastorServe would be honored to journey with you in safe and confidential ways.

You can learn more about PastorServe by visiting their website at www.pastorserve.org.

PastorServe encourages you to pray for your pastor. A daily text reminder can be received by texting the word pastor to 74574.

PastorServe Because Every Pastor Needs a Pastor

The PastorServe Series is dedicated to producing grace-centered, timeless books for pastors, ministry leaders, and church leadership ministering in a variety of settings around the world. These books expose and address critical issues in pastoral ministry with an emphasis on the relentless love of Jesus. The series focuses on both the front stage and the back stage of pastoral ministry in order to help readers bring their entire lives into alignment with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

SURVIVE OR THRIVE

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All rights reserved. No part of this ebook may be reproduced, scanned, resold, or distributed by or through any print or electronic medium without written permission from the publisher. This ebook is licensed solely for the personal and noncommercial use of the original authorized purchaser, subject to the terms of use under which it was purchased. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

All Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The author has added italics to Scripture quotations for emphasis.

Maturity Gap Index 2015 PastorServe.

Some names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals mentioned in this book.

LCCN 2015944606

ISBN 978-1-4347-0919-6

eISBN 978-1-4347-0963-9

2015 Jimmy Dodd

Published in association with the literary agency of Wolgemuth & Associates, Inc.

The Team: Alex Field, Jamie Chavez, Amy Konyndyk, Nick Lee, Jack Campbell, Susan Murdock, Karen Athen

Cover Design: FaceOut Studio, Tim Green

Cover Photo: Getty; Shutterstock

First Edition 2015

Jimmy Dodd is the founder and president of PastorServe, a ministry passionate about helping pastors thrive by providing them with care, coaching, counseling, and friendship. A pastor himself for more than thirty years, Jimmy is a graduate of Wheaton College and Gordon-Conwell Seminary and is now a well-known speaker. Jimmy and his wife, Sally, have five children.