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This episode will conclude our time talking about what I would say to my younger self if I had the opportunity to do so. I hope this little foray into this subject has been helpful in some small way.

76. You will likely move many times or at least change churches.
77. When you have to leave a church, you will leave many friends too.
78. Spiritual warfare is real; the enemy will attack you and your family in ways you never imagined.
79. You will be discouraged and think about quitting often. (Most pastors call this day Monday.) The average length of a pastorate is 3.6 years. The way to stay longer is simple–don’t leave. Wait for God to move you. If the church fires you, you are free to go. Otherwise, stay where you are.
80. If you do have to leave, remember that the people will remember the end of your ministry more than they will the beginning.
81. Beware of making close friendships in your congregation.
82. Take care of your physical, mental, and spiritual health.
83. The church will go on when you are gone.
84. Prepare the church so it is ready for the man who follows you.
85. Don’t do full-time ministry for part-time pay.
86. Insist on an annual pay review.
87. Own your own home.
88. Encourage the church to pay into a 401K that you own.
89. Do not opt out of Social Security.
90. Never believe everything people say about you, whether good or bad.
91. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
92. Permit yourself to fail.
93. Own your failures.
94. Learn to laugh at yourself.
95. Learn to evaluate criticism.
96. Learn from your failures, and embrace your successes lightly. 
97. Be quick to say with sincerity these five things: “Thank you; Well done; I am sorry; I forgive you; How can I help you?”
98. You will never be as great as you think you are.
99. You will not change the world. (God called you to preach the Word.)
100. Strive to preach and be forgotten.
101. Learn when it’s time to walk away.
102. Live within your means.
103. Take your time when making major changes in the church. (No major changes in the first year.)
104. It will take you between 5 and 7 years to become the pastor of your church.
105. Respect is earned, not deserved, because we carry the title of Pastor.
106. Send ample time with God in prayer and Bible reading.
107. Jealously guard your time. No one else will.
108. Find balance, even when it seems selfish.
109. Reevaluate your spiritual life often.
110. Learn the secret of contentment.
111. Find your joy and happiness in Jesus, not ministry or the church.
112. Invest in the lives of others.
113. Keep moving forward, especially in the hard times.
114. Ground your theology in Jesus.
115. Remember, God always knows best.
116. It will all be worth it!

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The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)