Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.
“57% of pastors say their spiritual formation takes a back seat.” (Standing Stone Ministry)
Pastor friend, how do you respond to that statement?
After giving out the Word yesterday and ministering to the needs of many last week, how are you personally growing in Christ? How is Christ being “formed in you”?
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you (Galatians 4:19).
At the point of salvation, Christ comes to dwell in the believer (John 14:20; 17:23; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27). Christ is “formed in us” as the Holy Spirit, as Ron Lynch says, “knocks out of us what doesn’t look like Christ.” This is an ongoing process of daily surrender and learning Christ. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
For Christ to be formed in you, you must learn Christ (Ephesians 4:20-21). Sit at His feet in the morning, read His Word, share your heart, listen to His still, small voice, take your time. Jesus is never in a hurry. He invites you to come and learn of Him (Matthew 11:28-30).
For Christ to be formed in you, you must not look at “church trials” as some strange thing happened to you (1 Peter 4:12) nor blame it on that “carnal church member” or be offended by it. But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:13).
Pastor, has your spiritual formation in Christ taken a back seat due to your ministry activities? Just as Paul had to warn the Galatians that outward legalism and spiritual performance was replacing inward growth, do you need the same challenge? Are you ministering from abiding in Christ (John 15:1-11) or robotically from having “learned” your profession?
So, who’s in the front seat of your spiritual formation? Are you in the 57% or 43%?
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