To a lay person, it might seem strange to suggest that a clergy needs to be encouraged to build in time for their own spiritual growth. The reality is that, in the language of time management, the urgent can often take precedent over the important. The multiple demands of both members of the congregation and the community seem so immediate, that it is easy for a pastor to neglect their own spiritual practices. In addition, because many of the practices that nourish us spiritually are also used in the exercise of ministry, it is not unusual for a pastor to neglect to exercise those skills for personal nourishment. For example, pastors are frequently called upon to pray for others and direct worship for others but when do they pray or experience worship for themselves. An analogy might be helpful. Consider spiritual nourishment to be like breathing. When you are praying for someone else, you are breathing out. Now consider what happens when you only breathe out.
There are several steps that a session can take in this area. Again, the first step is to have the conversation. For a session to speak to the pastor of the importance of maintaining his or her spiritual health both for the sake of the congregation and for the pastor, can be a way of verbalizing their support for the pastor to take such time.
A second step would be to ask the pastor to share with the session the practices that s/he has found helpful in their spiritual journey. Also ask what the pastor has discovered as barriers to such practices. Not only can this be a benefit to the session in learning about spiritual practices but it raises the level of awareness about the importance of such disciplines in the life of the church.
A third step would be to ask the pastor to consider finding either a spiritual advisor or a spiritual partner to support them in this journey. Someone that is outside the immediate experience of the congregation but is attuned to the realities of ministry can help the pastor maintain perspective.
Many times the despair and even depression that a pastor can experience as they engage in ministry could be eased through practices that nourish them spiritually. No one should enter the ministry thinking that it is going to be an easy calling and frequently it is only through strong spiritual bonds that a clergy is able to maintain a healthy practice of ministry.
