We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:3-4, 9

It is a well-known fact that today’s ministry leaders are busier than ever, with schedules full of meetings, counseling sessions, and church events. Add to this already burgeoning load the necessity to spend time with spouse, children, families, and you have a recipe for exhaustion.

How can today’s ministry leaders manage all of this well?  By remembering one very important fact – as a child of God by faith, we are called by God and are being conformed by Him into the image of Jesus Christ.  This has several implications.

First, we have a personal relationship with our Creator and Savior that needs to be cultivated. Second, our own sanctification and the time we devote to it will shape our ability to minister to others.  Third, we cannot give to others or model for others what we do not have or know ourselves.

There are a few things that are absolute musts for all believers and especially so for those who lead others. Here are 3 primary areas to cultivate in your life.

1. Spend time regularly in Bible study, prayer, and if possible fasting. This can be a challenge for Bible teachers who spend a lot of time preparing to teach others.  Teaching others is not a substitute for being nourished yourself.  A personal prayer time outside of ministry settings must also be a high priority.
2. Be a worshipper. This sounds oxymoronic but understand that as a ministry leader, worship can sometimes become that part of the service that occurs before you take the stage or teach the class. Be a devoted worshipper so that God is honored in your life. This will be reflected in your ministry to others.
3. Finally, take regularly scheduled times to rest and recharge. This is something I am learning to do. After 10 straight years of preaching every Sunday morning with only 2-3 Sundays a year off, I have taken a 5 week in-house sabbatical while some of the men in our church teach through 1 Timothy.

Friends, it is important that you take an active role in your own sanctification. Understanding this will become a transforming truth.