Do pastors struggle with having a quality devotional time? Or even with having one at all? This topic was addressed in one of Wednesday morning’s workshops. The workshop’s title was “The Pastor and His Private Devotional Life.” It was led by Zach Dietrich, associate pastor at Willow Creek Baptist Church in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Raising the question, “What does the ideal devotion time look like?” Dietrich admitted that he struggles with finding the time to delve into the Word. Many pastors in the audience agreed that they share the same struggles. Several commented that these struggles don’t come from a lack of desire, but often from unrealistic expectations. Demands on time and other factors tend to impact both the quality and frequency of private devotions.
Using Colossians 2 and 3 as a reference point, Dietrich discussed how legalism, mysticism, and asceticism can strangle one’s spiritual life. He emphasized the importance of evaluating the motives behind one’s devotional practices and warned against artificially constructing an idealized picture of what spiritual success should look like. He also cautioned against falling prey to the popular notion that certain practices automatically make one holy—something of an ex opere operato approach to the spiritual disciplines.
To counter these spiritual “killers,” Dietrich stressed that union with Christ, mortification of the flesh, and active involvement in a vibrant Christian community, can all help to revive one’s spiritual life. “Don’t wait for the right time or worry about setting the mood,” he said. “Stop and do it now.” He also said it is important to learn to say no when necessary, because no one has the time to do everything.
