How does a pastor’s soul find rejuvenation? That is the question Leadership asked dozens of church leaders, and beyond the valuable, but expected, answer of “read the Bible and pray,” many of the answers were insightful and unexpected. Here are 13 things various pastors have done to benefit the soul.
1. Take a walk.
Even a casual reading of the New Testament reveals that Jesus and his disciples did a lot of walking. Of course, for them it was the primary form of transportation, not necessarily a spiritual discipline. Still, regularly taking a long walk can quiet your soul and help you draw near to God. Many pastors report using walks to internalize their sermons and prepare their souls to preach.
2. Pray the daily offices.
In the early centuries, Christians gathered at designated times during the day for prayer. These prayer times, known as “offices,” are still practiced by believers today. With the aid of a prayer book, you can pray alone knowing that others across the globe are sharing in your prayers at the same time. David Robinson, pastor of Harvest Fellowship Church in Manhattan, Kansas, says, “Learning to pray along with the Church and for the Church has significantly changed the scope and perspective of my prayers from simply the ‘world around me’ to the overriding and delivering promises of God’s glory.”
3. Say no.
Erecting proper boundaries is a critical discipline for a pastor. Even Jesus turned down certain requests. People are always clamoring for our time and energy. Learning to say no, even to good ministries and opportunities, will give the soul room to breathe and find rejuvenation.
4. Make a “non-utilitarian” friend.
Ministry is about people, but sometimes we can see people as a commodity necessary to advance our ministry. We may take a member to breakfast, but in the back of our mind, we know that a stronger relationship with this person is a resource for the church’s ministry. Of course, this attitude goes both ways. Many people try to use pastors to advance their agenda as well.
So Brian McLaren suggests at least a few “non-utilitarian” friendships: “This is when we intentionally have a friendship because we like the person and we’re not trying to use them for our success. It’s to be with people just because you appreciate who they are, and they appreciate you.” That kind of friendship creates the safety and grace the soul needs to thrive.
5. Fast from media, even ministry books.
The amount of information available today is never-ending. Even the literature available to pastors about ministry is overwhelming. While some of it is clearly beneficial (like the journal you’re presently reading, we trust), sometimes we need to rest from filling our heads with new insights and the pressure to implement them. One pastor told us, “Sermons, articles, and books that reveal how dysfunctional my church is drain me and do nothing beneficial for my soul.”
6. Exercise.
Many pastors told us regular exercise is critical to the health of the soul as well as the body. And research has shown that a healthy body positively impacts a person’s emotional and mental capacities.
Jeff Weddle from Rhinelander Bible Church in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, says, “Exercise outside is the best way for me to recharge. Some of my best prayers are said on my bike. It also allows me time alone to develop my sermon illustrations and ideas.”
7. Laugh.
One pastor, name withheld, says, “After a difficult Sunday at church I like to come home and watch my DVD collection of Tom and Jerry cartoons. The slapstick humor helps me fight the temptation to take ministry, or myself, too seriously.” This may explain why subscribers to Leadership routinely rank the cartoons as their favorite feature of the journal. Laughter, as the saying goes, is good medicine.
8. Take a pilgrimage.
Vacations are about relaxation, mission trips are about serving, but pilgrimages, says Tony Jones, “are an outward expression of an inward journey.” The word may conjure images of superstitious peasants seeking ancient relics, but some pastors today are finding personal pilgrimages meaningful.
David Fitch, pastor of Life on the Vine in Long Grove, Illinois, plans a pilgrimage every year to visit his childhood home. He says, “I spend a few days walking the streets of my upbringing, contemplating what God has done in my life, praising him, and praying about the future.”
9. Find a spiritual director.
Not exactly therapy, not quite coaching, a spiritual director offers something else: a God’s-eye view of your soul. Dieter Zander, pastor of spiritual formation at Bay Marin Community Church in Novato, California, visits his director, Father Tom, once a month.
“Just the discipline of going to him and submitting to his insights has been a rich experience for me,” he says.
Brian Owen, from Campus Crusade, credits his spiritual director for helping him recognize God’s movements in his life. “My spiritual director helps me step back and notice the activity of God in the intimate details of my life. I often leave our sessions with a fresh sense of hope, with greater awareness of God’s will.”
10. Meditate on the Lord’s Prayer.
The Eastern Church has a tradition known as “hesychasm.” This is the practice of repeating a short prayer, such as the Jesus prayer (“Lord have mercy” or the extended form, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”) over and over.
The goal is to focus your mind on God so you can commune with him more intimately. Many short passages of Scripture are used for this kind of prayer, but one of the most common is the Lord’s Prayer.
Try sitting in silence for five minutes, and then say the Lord’s Prayer reflectively aloud. Afterward, center your thoughts on one word or phrase and allow it to inspire your own prayers to God. One pastor reports using this practice three times a day or whenever he feels frazzled.
11. Begin a hobby.
When we asked pastors how they refresh their souls, many said they rely on a hobby unrelated to ministry. Some hobbies were highly physical, like surfing or rock climbing. Others were more contemplative and creative, like model-building or painting or writing poetry. David Kuo, a Christian who found himself serving amid the political chaos of Washington, D.C., says he found rejuvenation through fly-fishing.
12. Write an encouraging letter.
Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.” The proverb does not specify whether the benefit is for the heart that receives the good word or the heart that gives it. Take time to reflect on a person who has blessed your life and ministry. After thanking God for him or her, write the person a letter of gratitude and encouragement. The exercise might bring cheer to both of your hearts.
13. Break something.
No one denies that ministry is a stress-inducing job, but many church leaders suppress the tension until it manifests itself in unhealthy ways.
Dave Johnson, senior pastor of Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, Minnesota, tells how he handled stress during a period of rapid expansion and increasing pressure. The church had just been given a plaque for being one of the fastest growing churches in the area. Johnson and an associate hung the award on a tree and shot it to pieces with their rifles.
Drastic? Perhaps. Therapeutic? Definitely.
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