There is no doubt that staying spiritually fresh is a high priority for all of us in ministry, but how do we do it? What can we do, as youth pastors, to remain spiritually fresh?
This week we are going to be discussion some ideas on how we can allow God to reenergize us so that we can serve deeper, lead better, and love more.
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1. Schedule one full day of retreat once a month. This should be part of your job description. Don't demand it, but ask for it. The day away is a time to pull back and make sure you're heading in the right direction with your various projects, relationships, time management, life in Christ, etc. I use the time to also take my pulse emotionally and physically. I sleep in, exercise, journal, read, and get away.
2. Follow the M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan http://hippocampusextensions.com/mcheyneplan/. Then you're just systematically in scripture every day. It's not a burden, it's a joy. Following this has cultivated an appetite for the Word. Now I crave it.
3. Read classic spiritual writing. See below…
(Read this slowly, once or twice, for its truth to sink in. Be patient with the language – it's a little fancy-shmancy because it was written in the 18th century — but it's worth your concentration.)
"Are we not of the number of those who… have no object in their prayers but temporal benefits, those who pray earnestly for the fatness of the earth but never ask for the dew of heaven?
Events & circumstances awaken our religion, as though there were no need to pray to God except in illness & sorrow. As soon as affairs take a turn for the better and the danger is past, our devotion vanishes; the most we think of doing is to thank God for the successful end of our troubles; after a short act of gratitude we forget Him, and think of nothing but our pleasures….
God is forgotten as soon as our needs are supplied, as soon as our evils are averted and our blessings secured. (Jean Nicolas Grou, 1795)
How much do I pray about my life in Christ vs. the concerns of my everyday life? Ouch.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8
Being a pastor is not my identity. It's my job. A job I happen to love, but still a job. Christ is my identity. Healthy, Spirit-filled, unconditional ministry flows out of healthy identity.
Great stuff Kelly! For the past 9 years in ministry I have made it a point to take a day away each month and it has been completely worth it!
I love that my sr. pastor takes this seriously for my life too. There was actually on summer when he challenged the entire staff to not even bother to start their work for the day until we had spent an hour with God. If someone was late, we knew what they were doing and there were no questions asked.