SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES FOR HOLINESS IN THE LIFE OF A MINISTER

Pastors need to use the spiritual disciplines daily and diligently to cultivate sanctification toward God to know him increasingly better. With the Spirit’s blessing, such cultivation is essential for a truly God-owned ministry that results from the pastor’s large, varied, and original life with God. Pastors must read Scripture diligently, systematically, prayerfully, and meditatively; pray unceasingly, read sound literature, listen to God- glorifying sermons, and profit from the sacraments, fellowship with believers, and sanctifying the Lord’s Day. Even faithful stewardship of time and money, evangelizing and serving others, and the ministry of the Word through loving the Triune God and his people can be forms of a lifestyle of spiritual discipline that grows our relationship with God and promotes and sustains an effective ministry.