It might seem strange to speak of spiritual boredom for clergy, but I think it is a real issue. I was recently in a conversation with a seminary intern who was pressing me on some issues in Reformed Theology. At one point he said to me, “I’m sorry to have to pick your brain about these things but I want to know about them.” My response was that I had found the conversation to be very stimulating. The pastorate is so demanding in a variety of areas that we are always either responding to an immediate issue or preparing for the next item on our schedule. It is not often that we take time to think theologically for the pure joy of it.
When was the last time that you explored with a friend the nature of your call? Who last asked you where you see the gentle push of God in your life? Have you recently read the Scripture without the agenda of preparing for a sermon or a class you were going to teach? Were you able to muse about what God might be saying to you through that Scripture? Have you been able to step outside your role as clergy and speak with some good friends about your own spiritual journey? Think about the last time you read a good theological book only for the stimulation that it brought to your life.
In recent years there has been a renewed emphasis on the area of spirituality and spiritual direction in pastor’s lives as well as that of members. This may reflect a dawning awareness that we have gotten ourselves so caught up in responding to the demands of the day that we have neglected to take time to nurture our relationship with God.
For most of us as clergy, at some point in our lives we have been touched very deeply by the God who has called us into this journey. It is important that we take the time to stay in touch with the source of our call. Our spiritual health is an important component of our whole health.
