As a student pastor, it’s likely you’ve been tired, frustrated, or spiritually and emotionally drained within the past year. These are realities of student ministry and can drain you to the point of ineffectiveness. It’s vital to take care of yourself spiritually.
When it comes to your spiritual health, be aggressively selfish. Think of your own spiritual health before you think about developing the spiritual health of others. Spend the time it takes to know Jesus intimately.
Ask yourself these three questions to evaluate how you’re doing:
- I seek to know Christ as much as I seek the sermon or Bible study I need to prepare?
- Do I practice personal spiritual disciplines with as much passion as I seek to minister to others?
- Am I willing to sacrifice time, or a host of other things, for my own spiritual health?
If you answered “no” to any (or all) of those questions, it’s time to make a change. Many times the thoughts that we consistently hear become the ones we don’t really hear at all. Don’t let that be the case for these. Move from thought to practice. Intently pursue developing your own spiritual health. If you need to, ask someone you respect for help or support.
As you become spiritually healthy, get ready for the best years of ministry you’ve ever had. Start on your knees, with your face in a position of surrender before God – and stay that way.
Ben Trueblood serves as the Director of Student Ministry for Lifeway Christian Resources and has served the local church as a student pastor for thirteen years. In addition to his role at Lifeway Ben currently serves as the student pastor at Grace Church in Hendersonville, TN.
