Read the Book

What I am about to write is relevant for everyone who follows Christ, but I want to specifically talk to Christian leaders:

Your job is unique and only you know the full-press of life as you experience it in your ministry setting. Your day is usually packed. There is a tremendous amount of work to get done, a multitude of people to tend to, and countless distractions that must be addressed. I’d like to pretend that overwhelming administration and red tape is totally unnecessary, but if you lead a vibrant ministry in America today, you have to deal with these sometimes unfortunate and often cumbersome realities.

And then there is family, friends, and, well, life. You want and need a healthy, balanced life. Recreation and relaxation are part of the restorative process God created for our souls. Ignore those at your own peril.

Prayer is the foundation for it all. As leaders, our personal worship and prayer time is essential if we are going to have continued authentic personal relationship with our Father and God. Our openness to the Holy Spirit must be constant, and there is no substitute for our time before Him.

All of what I just said is important.

And, there is one more thing…

Don’t neglect the Word.

Let me put it to you bluntly: If you are a Christian leader (or have your heart set on being a leader) and you are not interacting with the Bible every day, you are falling down on the job. Just as an athlete who has the privilege to play for a living embraces the need to work out daily to be on top of his or her game, Kingdom leaders who shepherd others are responsible to do so out of the reserves of riches that come from working hard in the Word.

Musicians have to practice their instrument every day. Sometimes it’s fun. Always It’s hard work. A great concert pianist once said: “If I miss one day of practice, I notice it. If I miss two days, the critics notice it. If I miss three days, the audience notices it.”

You might be a great communicator and intuitively understand culture well and be a top-quality leader, but without a vast understanding of the big picture of the Story and a tenacious grasp of the intimate details of the Word, you will not be the pastor you are called to be. Period. And if you are not working hard in the Word every day, the people you serve will quickly notice it (whether you think they do or not).

So, I can’t minimize the reality of your busy life, but I would like to encourage you to make engaging the Word of God a top priority regardless of what else you have on your plate. Consider your time in the Word more important than brushing your teeth or having your morning coffee or checking your email!

As Paul wrote to the young pastor Timothy: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15