3 indispensable ingredients for spiritual growth
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As ministry leaders, we all want to grow spiritually. In my early days, I used to think that meant getting alone with my Bible and filling in the blanks in a workbook, as if more information would usher in transformation.
As foundational as that was, I eventually found it to be a naïve and truncated approach to spiritual growth. Although I have used a variety of methods over the years, here are the three ingredients that I consider indispensable when it comes to spiritual growth. Without these, my roots dry up and my fruit withers. As you will see, they have impacted me greatly.
1. A prayer journal: This helps me see trends in my prayer life and measure my progress in growth. I like to compare it to when I began working out at a gym regularly. I noticed that out of all the persons using the machines and lifting weights, a few had a notebook and were jotting down their progress with each exercise. They were obviously serious about growing stronger and better at their workouts. In a similar way, spiritual growth requires commitment, effort and monitoring. For me, that begins by writing out my prayers.
I remember an extremely difficult time in my career when I temporarily left ministry. I felt lost. I couldn't hear from God.
A few times each week, I began writing out my prayers in a journal and making short diary notes, jotting down scriptures that gave me hope. I asked God to show me how I could use my ministry skills in a way that would honor him, serve others, and rekindle my spiritual passion. Within two weeks I had found myself coaching a man about his career. That led me to take a course and get certified in ministry leadership coaching. I discovered I had gifts that I never knew I had.
By writing out my prayers, I began to see "coincidences" and receive guidance from the Holy Spirit that opened up another avenue of ministry.
2. A prayer accountability partner: Paul had Barnabas. Timothy had Paul. When Jesus sent out the seventy-two, they went out in pairs.They had each other. I firmly believe that I cannot grow spiritually all by myself. I need another person.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" (Prov. 27:17). Friendly accountability can be extremely valuable. Soon after joining the gym, I realized that my efforts were well-intentioned but rather haphazard. I hired a trainer and began to make progress. His objective feedback was well worth the investment.
I can honestly say the same thing about having a prayer partner. I would not be in ministry today if I had not had a prayer partner who held me accountable by asking me tough questions about my walk with God, my relationships and my lifestyle. He believed in me and encouraged me beyond measure. We called each other at least once each week and prayed together over the phone. We met in person and prayed together at least once or twice each month. I realized that God answered my prayers more specifically and more often when I prayed with my prayer partner.
3. A teachable spirit: "Fools think their own way is right but the wise listen to others" (Prov. 12:15 NLT). Even though I had been working out at a gym for years, my trainer showed me that I had to unlearn some incorrect ways of exercising and become open to new approaches that stretched me. In a similar way, when I encounter difficult circumstances, I find it helpful to ask "Lord, what are you trying to teach me in all of this?"
For instance, a few years ago I felt that God was calling me to become a hospital chaplain. So, I entered a year-long Clinical Pastoral Education program as a resident chaplain in a local hospital. I worked daily with four other pastors and an instructor who taught us how to transition from being a pastor/preacher to becoming more of a calming, listening presence with people. This required intense self-examination of my personal beliefs and approaches to ministry. The instructor and other resident chaplains occasionally challenged the way I conversed with patients. This irritated me.
I was tempted to quit the program because I didn't always agree with the theology of others or their personal critiques of my ministry style. However, I continued to ask God to teach me what He wanted me to learn regardless of how I felt about others.
I eventually came to see these challenging circumstances as a crash course in discipleship. God was teaching me new approaches to ministry as well as smoothing out the rough edges in my sometimes-self-absorbed behavior.
He accomplished this by using some of the most unlikely people. They impacted my life and ministry deeply, for which I am eternally grateful.
By the grace of God, He gave me a teachable spirit and taught me new approaches to ministry. After several months, I began to see spiritual growth by way of greater patience and tolerance with those whose views that were different from mine, as well as more self-awareness and self-control of my emotions.
How about you? Do you have three indispensable ingredients that help you grow spiritually. Do you resonate with any of the ones I described? In what area of your life do you think God wants you to grow next?
 | Langdon Montgomery has served as pastor in several churches over 25 years. He now serves as a hospice chaplain and resides in Hampton Roads. He has a Masters of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and has taught three courses at Regent in their Continuing Education and Professional Development Department focused on leadership and preaching. He coaches pastors through Ministry Leadership Coaching, Learn More » |
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