Pastors and Their Devotions
Jul 14th, 2006 by admin
A humbling article by Mike Gilbert-Smith from 9 Marks. Here’s a sample:
Every pastor knows, at least in his head, the importance of a vibrant devotional life. As the number of windows open on the taskbar shows, however, he could fill his life five times over with sermon preparation, counseling, email correspondence, elders’ meetings, staff meetings, conferences, and so much more. But he knows that it is all a sham if he does not meet daily with His Lord.
But why is such a devotional life essential? I fear that a pastor can recognize the necessity of a healthy devotional life, but have unhealthy motives for making sure that it happens. Ironically, many of our motives for wanting a rich devotional life should be the very things our devotions help to undermine.
Paul passionately asserts in Philippians 3 that there is nothing more essential in the life of a pastor than a constant pursuit of Christ. The primary need of a pastor (and even an apostle!) is precisely the same as the primary need of all Christians: a vibrant relationship with Jesus.
“Unto them that believe unto the saving of the soul, he is, he always has been, preciousâ€â€the sun, the rock, the life, the bread of their soulsâ€â€every thing that is good, useful, amiable, desirable, here or unto eternity. In, from, and by him, is all their spiritual and eternal life, light, power, growth, consolation, and joy here; with everlasting salvation hereafter….
On these and the like accounts, the principal design of their whole lives unto whom he is thus precious, is to acquaint themselves with himâ€â€the mystery of the wisdom, grace, and love of God, in his person and mediation, as revealed unto us in the Scripture, which is “life eternal;” (John 17:3;)â€â€to trust in him, and unto him, as to all the everlasting concernments of their soulsâ€â€to love and honour him with all their heartsâ€â€to endeavour after conformity to him, in all those characters of divine goodness and holiness which are represented unto them in him. In these things consist the soul, life, power, beauty, and efficacy of the Christian religion; without which, whatever outward ornaments may be put upon its exercise, it is but a useless, lifeless carcass.”1
If we intend to pursue Christ, then we will pursue an active devotional life. This side of heaven we live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). This faith comes by faithful hearing of the Word of God. Thus our devotional life is of vital importance for the sustenance of our faith. For we feed on Christ by feeding upon His Word.
- Jerry Bridges Coming Soon
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- How Can We Live In Light of God’s Sovereign Grace?
Sam, do you agree with what the writer said - “Every pastor knows, at least in his head, the importance of a vibrant devotional life”?
I have been listening to a series on church leadership and through 5 different speakers only one had an emphasis on the Scriptures, be it for private piety or public proclamation. If there is a dearth of hungering and thirsting after God and meeting Him in His Word among those who would lead God’s flock, can we be surprised at the resulting malnutrion of the sheep?
We need not be surprised at the malnutrition of the flock. You are tragically too right, here!
Yeah, Sam, it just seems that seminary/Bible college grads don’t exude a devotional life, let alone one that is deep. I realize that there are exceptions. But if you look at how these institutions market themselves they seem more driven by the writings of Barna and the pollsters and pundits and BusinessWeek than by the writings of the Reformers or Puritans.
Here’s a scary line from the article that applies not just to pastors:
“We might set aside time each day, have a wonderful plan for reading the Bible, have a prayer diary which we consistently follow, and yet forget the pursuit of Christ in the activity”. Ouch!
Sam, did you notice who the writer quotes? Owen and Edwards twice each, plus Sibbes and Spurgeon. Mdoerns that he refers to include Piper and Mahaney, who have acknowledged great debts to the likes of Edwards, Owen, and Spurgeon.