Pray, study, and pray some more. Never forget that prayer is your lifeline. Without it you will never know God's perfect will for you. Bathe all things in prayer. Prayer and study will keep you out of unnecessary trouble, and show you how to get through the troubles you will, and must, go through.
Never, ever, think that because you are called into the ministry that you can ignore the advice of those older than you. That is not to say that everyone older than you has something good to offer, but many older brothers and sisters have been through more trials and tribulation that you can imagine. They know, more than just an intellectual "know," they know the power of prayer, the faithfulness of our Lord, and His ability to deliver. Listen to those that are more mature than you. They are a wealth of spiritual knowledge encouragement. Too many young people do not use this resource to their detriment.
Never judge your success by man's standards. Obey God. Stand firm on the Word. If you pastor a church with 50 or 5,000 people and it's God's will for you to be there you will be accomplishing what God wants. Never let man define what is success or obedience, always go to the Word.
Read everything you can, regardless of whether the author is conservative or liberal. They will both be useful: some in giving you a firm foundation and some to give you a warning as to what to expect from the enemy (and there is both at both extremes). Ignore man's labels, conform to the Word. If you do you will probably be tagged as a conservative or fundie - don't worry, there are worse things out there. Being obedient is what's important, not man's labels.
Be patient. Things will come to you in God's perfect time. It may take years for you to pastor, but God is shaping you and getting you ready (and using you) where you are now. Make yourself able to be shaped and molded into His image, not some man-made idea of what that should be.
Be loyal to God and His word above all else.
You are no one's boss. You are a condiut through which God's will and word passes. Don't get too high on yourself.
You are in for a ride, friend. This is the most joyful, heart rending, lonley, and glorious calling on the planet. It is hard. It will tax you beyond what you think is possible. Your heart will break more times than you think possible. It will also sing with joy. Be prayerfully prepared for both.
There's nothing like it. If you are called, nothing else will suffice, and nothing else can ease the unrest in your soul. If you aren't called it will make you miserable beyond belief.
