The Pastor and Personal Revival, Part 1

During the month of October, 60 pastors from different parts of the country met at Mount Hermon retreat in central California. As a resident of northern Indiana, this was a drastic change in scenery (for the better!) and a welcome respite from the responsibilities of full-time ministry. Like-minded men enjoyed fellowship (see picture above), the preaching of God’s Word, and physical and spiritual refreshment. This year the theme of the conference was revival, and I found myself using my time there to reflect and pray about this important topic. In particular, it allowed me to further consider the need for personal revival as a minister of the gospel. 

Many of the conference sessions focused on corporate revival—particular places and points in history when the Holy Spirit awakened a group of sinners and brought them to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, or to greater devotion to Him. But at least two of the sessions focused on the need for personal revival in the heart of the pastor, which is what spurred my thinking and prayer more than anything else at the conference. Personal revival in the heart of a pastor is when the Holy Spirit invigorates his soul in such a way that causes the joy of his salvation and the privilege of his ministry to return. It’s when the pastor’s heart is filled with a fresh commitment to Christ, and he is enabled to press on with confidence in the Lord and peace in his heart. It’s when the pastor has a renewed sense of conviction for sin and hatred of it, as well new energy and desire to do battle with it.

I am keenly aware of the need for personal revival after serving in full-time ministry for the last 14 years. While a tremendous privilege, the struggle is real in ministry. I’d like to share at least four reasons why a pastor needs personal revival in the heart, so that you better understand and can support your local pastor. 

First, a pastor needs personal revival because he is a sinner, too. Peter writes that elders are to “shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3 NKJV) While they are called to lead, however, pastors have more in common with the congregation than you might think! Pastors, regardless of their commitment to Christ and level of spiritual maturity, can struggle with coldness of heart, and can often find themselves feeling lethargic and apathetic when it comes to loving the Lord and living for Him. This means that pastors, like their congregations, need the flame to be reignited within. They need to be newly convicted of their sin and reminded of its destructive power. Most of all, they must see, with fresh eyes, the beauty of Christ and be compelled by it to serve Him all the more, and with much gladness. 

Second, a pastor needs personal revival because Satan is active in his opposition. If “the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV), and this applies to all of God’s people, how much more active might he be in opposing the pastor? C.S. Lewis illustrates this reality in his book The Screwtape Letters. Uncle Screwtape, a seasoned demonic being compiles advice for his trainee (and nephew), Wormwood. One letter begins: “I note with great displeasure that your patient has chosen the path of the pastoral ministry. A pastor is a dangerous asset to the Enemy, for their ruin rarely stops with themselves; a single collapsed shepherd can scatter an entire flock into our jaws.” Screwtape goes on to outline four comprehensive strategies for attacking a pastor, including “the Weapon of Burnout and Isolation”. He not only encourages Wormwood to whisper the lie that he cannot trust anyone in the congregation with his flaws, but also to bring him to such a point of physical exhaustion that he is drained and emotionally reactive. Personal experience has taught me that Satan is very active against those in full-time ministry. Pastors are often inundated with temptation, feel lonely and useless, and, on more occasions than they would like to admit, consider how much longer they can go on in ministry. Therefore, what a pastor needs is personal revival in the heart. 

Third, a pastor needs personal revival because ministry has the potential to become overly familiar the longer your tenure. I came under care of my presbytery shortly after I graduated from college. I had the privilege of interning at the church before going to seminary. My elders at that church probably still laugh about my excitement then for even the mundane ministry commitments like session meetings! In the early years of ministry, pastors are usually eager to prepare weekly sermons, invest in local members, provide biblical counseling, and attend the various meetings of the office. It’s thrilling, as a new pastor, to pronounce the benediction, vote in a presbytery meeting, and stand in the pulpit before a listening congregation. As time passes, however, many aspects of church ministry start to lose their shine. Of course, it should not be this way, but in reality ministry can become routine. When that happens, ministry can become a burden to the pastor rather than a joyful endeavor to which he is willing to selflessly and sacrificially give himself. This, too, is why the pastor needs personal revival. In fact, the longer he continues in ministry, the greater this need becomes for him. 

Fourth, a pastor needs personal revival because ministry takes a great toll on him. Jesus speaks of the cost of following Him, “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33 NKJV) That cost exists for those serving Jesus in pastoral ministry, too. The Apostle Paul lists his many sufferings for the sake of the gospel: he was beaten, shipwrecked, in danger on many fronts, weary and sleepless, and especially concerned for all the churches. He writes in 2 Corinthians 11:28, “Besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” (NKJV) While every pastor will not suffer to the same extent, suffering and ministry go hand-in-hand, the Scriptures tell us. As a result, a pastor is in frequent need of personal revival to protect him from discouragement, and to prolong his ministry.

Next month, we’ll consider how a pastor can pursue personal revival, as well as how you can practically help him. But, for now, I want you to know of the need that he has for it, so that you will come alongside your pastor in love, gratefully receive his ministry each week, and earnestly pray for him and his spiritual well-being on a daily basis.