The older I get, the more I appreciate the voices of those who’ve gone before. There truly is nothing new under the sun. So those who’ve made a few more trips around it have something to teach us from their observations.

This is especially true for pastors. Young and aspiring church leaders can learn much from their predecessors. That’s why I’m so grateful for people like Mike Minter. In 1975, he planted Reston Bible Church in Dulles, Virginia, where he’s served ever since. In his recent article, “3 Stages of a Pastor’s Life,” he reflects on the seasons of pastoral ministry and offers advice for every step of the journey.

I personally found his counsel for “Stage 1” full of helpful nuggets. “Give your expectations to the Lord.” “Build your team around humility.” “Keep careful records of all your personal meetings.” And much like Solomon’s instruction to his son, “Seek wisdom and direction from older pastors.”

In one sense, Mike’s article provides both the prescription and the pill. His sage advice gives us a sampling of what young pastors need most. Because the wisdom from above often comes from those who’ve gone before.