Name: https://www.youtube.com/embed/szuBDDdgrJg?feature=oembed
Uploaded: 2014-01-27T00:00:00-05:00
Description: Watch the full six-minute video to hear these seasoned pastors discuss wilderness battles, the lesson of Hezekiah, changing the world, and more.

What do you wish someone had told you when you were first entering the ministry?

“I wish I’d known how easily Satan’s attacks could bring me to a state of discouragement,” reflects Andy Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina, in a new roundtable video with David Helm and J. D. Greear. “I’ve since learned how much he’ll use my sins, others’ sins, and unmet expectations to get me down and out of the game.”

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“The longevity of faithful service is the way God prepares us to do the work,” observes Helm, lead pastor of the Hyde Park congregation of Holy Trinity Church in Chicago. “There are no shortcuts. Give your heart to Christ’s people. Pastoring is a people work.” Moreover, adds Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in North Carolina, “I wish I’d anticipated how much pulpit ministry would exacerbate certain idols like the approval of man.”

Watch the full six-minute video to hear these seasoned pastors discuss wilderness battles, the lesson of Hezekiah, changing the world, and more. Then, join the conversation and share what you wish someone had told you when you were starting out.

J. D. Greear (MDiv, PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the pastor of The Summit Church, in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Under Pastor J.D.’s leadership, the Summit has grown from a plateaued church of 300 to one of over 12,000. He serves as a Council member for The Gospel Coalition, and recently served as the 63rd President of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2018 through 2021. Pastor J.D. Greear has authored several books, including 12 Truths & a Lie (2023), Essential Christianity (2023), Just Ask (2021), What Are You Going to Do with Your Life? (2020), Above All (2019), Not God Enough (2018), Gaining by Losing (2015), Gospel (2011), Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart (2013), Jesus, Continued… (2014), and others. He hosts Summit Life, a 30-minute daily radio broadcast and weekly TV program as well as the Ask the Pastor podcast.

Andrew M. Davis (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Durham, North Carolina; founder and teacher of Two Journeys Ministry; and a Board member of The Gospel Coalition. He is visiting professor of church history at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Davis’s books include How to Memorize Scripture for Life, Revitalize: Biblical Keys to Helping Your Church Come Alive Again, An Infinite Journey: Growing Toward Christlikeness, Exalting Jesus in Isaiah, The Glory Now Revealed, and The Power of Christian Contentment. He and his wife, Christi, have five children and four grandchildren.

David Helm (MDiv, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is the senior pastor of Christ Church Chicago, chairman of the board of the Charles Simeon Trust, and a Council member for The Gospel Coalition. He has authored a number of books, including The Big Picture Story Bible, Expositional Preaching, and A Conversation With Jesus. He and his wife, Lisa, have five children.