Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) recently turned 40 years old and in celebratation has blogged 40 leadership tips for young pastors (part 1, 2, 3, & 4). Here are my favorites:

#3 - Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.
#16 - Err on the side of generosity.
#17 - Believe in people that others overlook.
#18 - If you’re going to reach people that others aren’t, you’ll have to do things that others won’t.
#21 - When you have a tough decision to make, but you know it’s right, make it immediately. (Like pulling off a Band-Aid: do it fast, and all at once.)
#22 - Hire slowly. Fire quickly.
#24 - Don’t criticize others’ ministries. Yours isn’t nearly as perfect as you think it is.
#25 - Take care of yourself. Eat right. Rest. Exercise. Take time off. No one else can do that for you.
#27 - Don’t just delegate responsibility. Delegate authority.
#32 - Be careful what you say. You’re being watched (and recorded).
#36 - Love your wife more than you love the church. The church is Jesus’ bride, not yours.
#37 - Always be caught speaking well of others.
#40 - Smile and look people in the eyes when you talk to them.

For all 40 leadership tips, read Craig’s original posts (part 1, 2, 3, & 4).