In pastoral ministry, our calendars fill up fast. We have people to care for, Bible studies to prepare, visits to make, lunches to set up, meetings to plan, and volunteers to coordinate.
When time is tight, one of the first things we drop off our to-do lists is caring for our own souls. What edifies us feels less important than the pouring out we need to be doing. This sets us on a road to being spiritually depressed, physically drained, and burned out.
But this doesn’t align with the Bible’s vision for pastoral ministry. Writing to a young pastor, Paul outlines the need to serve the church in both conduct and public teaching (1 Tim. 4:11–15). But all of Timothy’s effort is in vain if he fails to obey this exhortation: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim. 4:16).
Here are three areas in which we must care for our souls in the daily rhythms of ministry.
1. Scheduling
Build soul care into your schedule. In today’s society, constant productivity and relentless busyness are not the exception; they are expected of every successful employee, including pastors. The tasks our schedule continue to expand until no room remains for us to turn our gaze inward and upward.
To minister as the Bible calls us to, however, we must build into our schedule regular rhythms of prayer, Scripture meditation, and rest. If it’s not built in—actually scheduled on your calendar—you’ll never get to it, and your soul will remain thirsty.
If soul care is not built in—actually scheduled on your calendar—you’ll never get to it, and your soul will remain thirsty.
Soul care in scheduling may require you to get organized like never before. It may require explaining to people that you’re not available at a certain time since it’s blocked off for prayer or reading. It may require discipline to sit and pray when you feel you really need to get to planning. Submit your schedule to your Shepherd as an act of trust—and then follow the schedule so that he may lead you beside still waters (Ps. 23:2).
2. Meetings
In planning times with your team, build in care, encouragement, and time to mutually build up. I remember the first time this hit me. As part of a weekend conference at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, I attended an elders’ meeting. It was palpably different than others I’d gone to over the years. Instead of jumping straight to the first item on the agenda, they sang hymns together, shared personal struggles and encouragements, and prayed for one another. Before these men made important decisions, they cared for one another’s souls.
Meetings are inevitable. I’m simply suggesting that you reframe your approach to them.
In ministry, meetings are inevitable. I’m simply suggesting you reframe your approach to them, since the work of ministry is first and foremost spiritual. Reframe your planning and organization sessions into the spiritual exercises they are, and you will be “encouraging one another . . . as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:25).
So when you meet to plan the worship service or the summer youth camp or the building renovation, hear from God’s Word. Take time to share encouragements and discouragements. And cloak your time in prayer, that God might give you wisdom (James 1:5).
3. Worship
Every week you set a schedule, conduct meetings, and gather with God’s people for worship. But for ministers and many volunteer leaders, Sundays are workdays! In the past, I confess I’ve sat down after the sermon has started, checked my phone constantly, waited for a message to pop up requesting help, and then left before the final song to start breaking down. That is inexcusable; it neglects the grace God offers in the gathered worship of his people.
Although setting up, breaking down, leading prayer, and teaching may be part of your Sunday rhythm, make sure to sing praises, offer up prayers, sit under God’s Word, enjoy the sacraments, receive the benediction, and fellowship with other believers. God has called us to a special responsibility in leading worship, but he has not called us to stop participating in worship ourselves.
Care for Others by Caring for Yourself
Paul’s command to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16 cuts against much of the way we do pastoral ministry today. We must watch ourselves every bit as closely as we watch our teaching.
Personal soul care, then, must be preeminent. For only as we are edified, challenged, and reminded of Christ’s grace will we be equipped to edify, challenge, and offer that grace to others.