During the Pastors Conference put on by Practicing the Way, “The Role of the Pastor in the Spiritual Formation of the Community” with Ken Shigematsu, pastor of Tenth Church in Vancouver, Canada shared on the role of the pastor in helping his or her congregation grow to become more like Jesus.
The important part of my job is to become a certain kind of person. The greatest thing I can do for my church is introduce them to my transforming life.
“The greatest gift you can give your congregation is your own holiness.”
– Robert Murray M’Cheyne
Paul said to the broken people of Corinth, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
“We can lead others only as far along the road as we ourselves have traveled.”
– J. Oswald Sanders
The people who are part of my church are open to my influence. Am I helping form my people or deform them?
In his 20s, Ken worked from 7am to 11pm in the corporate world in Japan. Not much change took place when he shifted into ministry. He inherited a church that had had 20 pastors in 20 years. Before Ken, at its peak, it had 1000 people. By the time Ken arrived, the church had 100 people. Even though his job was to connect others to God, he was slipping away from God himself. On a pilgrimage with Leighton Ford, he discovered the idea of a Rule of Life. He began to put into practice some of the things he learned during that pilgrimage.
A Rule of Life
A Rule of Life means being intentional about my “not to do list” as my “to do list.”
Consider limiting time on your phone or watching television to create more time for these spiritual practices.
Determine the number of meetings per day and number of nights out per week that are within a healthy level for my personality.
A Rule of Life is not an achievement to be attained but a gift to be experienced.
Centering Prayer
One of those daily practices is Centering Prayer.
You can use an app so you don’t need to think about the timeframe.
First thing in the morning rather than looking at messages and texts, after reading the Scriptures then shifting to centering prayer can be a meaningful time.
Breathe in deeply through your nose and breathe out slowly through your nose while reminding yourself you are in the presence of God.
When your mind wanders, use a sacred word like “Jesus” or “peace” to recenter your thoughts on God.
Hear God say to you by name what He said to Jesus at His baptism. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17)
Sometimes movement before stillness can be helpful. (ex. a prayer walk before centering prayer).
Prayer of Examen
End each day with Prayer of Examen.
- Ask God for light. I want to look at my day with God’s eyes, not merely my own.
- Give thanks. The day I have just lived is a gift from God. Be grateful for it.
- Review the day. I carefully look back on the day just completed, being guided by the Holy Spirit.
- Face your shortcomings. I face up to what is wrong—in my life and in me.
- Look toward the day to come. I ask where I need God in the day to come.
Sabbath
Sabbath means not doing anything associated with work. This helps us
Sabbath can be a palace in time to delight in God and to delight in the most important people in my life.
Sabbath helps us to learn to trust God with the work that is always waiting for us.
Video: “The Joy of Sabbath” by Ken Shigematsu
Accountability Partner
Regular time with a spiritual running partner to confess struggles, sins, and joys.
Annual Vacation and Retreat
Annual vacation without taking any work with me.
Annual retreat with a mentor.
Hospitality
Create space in your life to share meals with people who do not yet know Jesus. The goal isn’t evangelism over dinner but being present in the lives of our neighbors. Create space for bearing witness to Jesus.
Consider a meal during Sabbath with friends who also follow Jesus.
Summarizing Thoughts:
These practices can help us stay rooted in our walk with God. This will help us as we help our people connect more closely to God.
With God’s help, we can become fully human – like Jesus. We can become a saint!
