Ministry is hard and demanding. It has also become increasingly more complex. Ministers are expected to be an expert in risk management, compliance, insurance, AV, IT, music, a property manager, human resource manager, strategic planner, etc.
They still need to preach sermons, lead Bible studies, visit people, do funerals and weddings, and care for the growing pastoral needs of their congregations. At the same time, they are spouses, parents, children, siblings – relationships that have their own demands and responsibilities.
“It is no surprise, then, to hear of leaders either burning out or crashing out due to sin.”
It is natural to try to take control of all these demands. But our attempts to take control have limitations and leave us vulnerable. It is no surprise, then, to hear of leaders either burning out or crashing out due to sin.
So how do we protect ourselves in ministry from such outcomes? How can we “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1)?
Spiritual Formation
Followers of Jesus are in the business of being formed. This is an ongoing work that is never complete. We are not to be conformed to this world but conformed into the image of Jesus (Romans 12:2; 8:29). Spiritual formation is about a transformation into Christlikeness.
Theological understanding, practical training and spiritual practices are means to this transformational end. However, the reality is that the formation of Christlikeness in us (Galatians 4:19) is the hidden work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual formation is about the work of the Spirit to transform us into God’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Why is Spiritual Formation Important?
Spiritual formation has a few different aspects to it. I will discuss these and explain why this formation is important for life and ministry.
- Our foundation for ministry
First, at its heart, Christianity is about a relationship with God. There is more to knowing God than merely knowing things about Him. The purpose of Christ’s death and resurrection was to reconcile us to God (2 Corinthians 5:18). So, at the heart of formation is deepening our relationship with our Triune God.
“Our relationship with God is vital to life and ministry. It is where we find our identity, our meaning, our value, and our source of love that overflows to others.”
Our relationship with God is vital to life and ministry. It is where we find our identity, our meaning, our value, and our source of love that overflows to others. It is in first experiencing God’s love for ourselves that we can love Him and others in response. His mercy, compassion and patience towards us, teaches us to how to be the same towards others.
- Our qualification for ministry
Secondly, spiritual formation and character are key qualifications for Christian leadership. We need to cultivate a heart like Jesus’ heart, not to be served but to serve.
It is not our intellect, skills or achievements that make us suitable for ministry. The Masters or Bachelors degrees we graduate with are not what qualify us. Our qualification for ministry is the Spirit’s gifting and fruit of holiness in our lives.
What often derails ministry and pours shame on Christ’s name are not issues of competency but of character. We do not need to wait till we’re perfectly holy before we start serving. But the fruit of holiness, love, patience, etc, should be evident and ever increasing.
- Our well-being in ministry
Thirdly, our faith becomes real when the Truth moves from our heads into our hearts and into visible fruit in our lives. The fruit God produces is more than simply holiness. He is also interested in our wholeness.
His word impacts our physical, emotional and intellectual well-being. The message we proclaim has greater impact when people can see for themselves that it does indeed change lives! It is also more inspiring when our motivation for life and ministry is from a heartfelt zeal for God’s truth and glory.
How Does SMBC Develop Spiritual Formation?
There is something important that happens at SMBC; far more important than whatever degree or course a student is enrolled in. God has a unique curriculum of humility and holiness He wants to achieve in each of us. It is our desire and prayer that He will perform it in each student’s life, while at SMBC, and beyond.
“God has a unique curriculum of humility and holiness He wants to achieve in each of us “
SMBC highly values the holistic formation of our students. We often speak of the trio of formations: theological, practical and spiritual.
Deepening our relationship with God. Moving knowledge from the head to the heart. Fruit of holiness and wholeness in our lives. All these aspects of spiritual formation are very much the hidden work of the Holy Spirit! It is something we can only desire and pray for God to do in us.
- Space for prayer
We are intentional in creating space for prayer and for the Spirit to perform His work in us. Space for prayer and formation are built into the rhythms of college life.
There are chapels and multitudes of prayer groups every week. There are dedicated extended prayer and spiritual retreat mornings every semester. Rhythms that will continue beyond college into the rest of life.
- Space for community
Community is emphasised and encouraged at SMBC as it is the arena for spiritual growth to occur. This community is happening between students and all SMBC staff and faculty.
SMBC is full of people from diverse backgrounds. We come from all over Australia and the world. We belong to many different denominations. As we rub shoulders in class, in fellowship groups and communal living, we are like “iron sharpening iron” (Proverbs 27:17).
- Space for foundational learning
Spiritual formation subjects are foundational to study at SMBC. These subjects explore the dynamics of spiritual formation in various ministry contexts. More than that, the very discipline of study will itself be a means used by God.
All that life and ministry have to throw at us continues while we study. The difficulties of life, ministry and study serve to test our limitations and resilience. But all for a far more important end. They forge in us greater trust and dependence upon God.
A God Who Forms and Holds Us
We are living in a rapidly changing and uncertain world. The demands upon those in ministry are far greater than they once were. The real issue is how we choose to navigate these new times. Do we believe we are the ones to provide the solutions and answers? Or do we trust that Jesus alone is the answer and the sole Saviour of the world?
“The good news is that God has sustained the church through every rapid revolution, scandal, hardship, and persecution in history.”
The good news is that God has sustained the church through every rapid revolution, scandal, hardship, and persecution in history. The Bible shows us how faithful God has always been despite our failures and flaws.
The invitation is for us to prayerfully seek His strength and His strategic wisdom for our lives and ministry.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
