The Ministry Report: Too Busy for God (via Mowser)

Friday, August 03, 2007

Too Busy for God

Another study. More discouraging findings. This time, though, it's not just about the people we serve as pastors and ministersâ€”it includes us.

Michael Zigarelli, an associate professor at Charleston Southern's School of Business, polled more than 20,000 Christians of all ages from 139 countries about the busyness of their lives and how it affects their relationship with God. His report, which concludes almost six years of collecting data, echoes the obvious: yes, we're busy people; and yes, our hectic lives prevent us from spending more time with God. Turns out almost six out of every 10 Christians around the world agree to the latter. But there are a few elements to Zigarelli's study I find particularly fascinating.

American Christians aren't necessarily the busiest. Japan, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Indonesia all had a higher percentage of believers who stated they often or always rushed "from task to task." African Christians are most likely to claim their busyness gets in the way of developing their relationship with God. (Two out of three South African and Nigerian believers stated this.) The Unites States is the only country where women topped men in saying they were 1) almost always busy and 2) that busyness affected their spiritual walk.

And the whammy for most of you reading this ...

Based on profession alone, pastors are the most likely to say they often or always rush from task to task. Yep, we beat out business owners, lawyers, teachers, salespeople ... you name it. And while a whopping 72 percent of Christian lawyers said their overloaded pace of life interfered with growing in the Lord, almost two out of every three pastors made the same claim.

We are busy. Too busy. And we don't need statistics to tell us that. But maybe a study like this will wake some of us up to this reality: We, of all people, must find a way to place the Lord above every urgent need, every pressing appointment, every desperate cry. The Bible is explicit in stating that as pastors and spiritual leaders, our standards are higher. Yes, the truth is, virtually everything we do stems from a God-given desire to minister. That's good. But the greater truth is, how can we truly minister without first being ministered to by God and receiving His empowerment? We must place Him above all.

YOUR TURN: Are you too busy? If so, how does that affect your relationship with God? What have you done to make that relationship top priority? What advice would you have for thoseâ€”particularly pastorsâ€”who struggle to find time for God?

# posted by Marcus Yoars : 8:52 AM

Comments:

As a pastor, I start my day by going into the church at least two hours early so that I can be sure to have a couple of hours in prayer before my hectic schedule begins. I have found that if I do not discipline myself to pray first, then I often can not find time later! Prayer is the highest call of man, and a minister must MAKE prayer the top priority.

# posted by

Anonymous : 7:55 AM

I agree with the above comment. My responsibility as a Pastor to my church is to grow in my relationship with God.

If I am not spending time alone with God in prayer, worship and Bible reading, how can I continue to grow. And if I am not growing, how can I help others to grow themselves.

As Pastors and church leaders, our primary responsibilty must be to walk closely with God and then help others to do the same.

# posted by

Dave : 5:30 AM

Daniel must have had an extremely busy job. He was administrator over the entire province of Babylon and answered directly to the King. Not only that, but Babylon was not a holy country. It was filled with idol worship, and we know from Daniel 10:13 that the spiritual warfare was heavy in that part of the world. Yet, Daniel prayed faithfully three times a day, worshiping God. And. Daniel is one of the few people about whom the Bible has nothing negative to say. I think he knew he HAD to spend time with God. He had to. And we really need to see that we HAVE to too.

# posted by

Anonymous : 4:24 PM

As one about to start a ministry in September, these are words from the wise that I hope I am wise enough to act upon. The buck will stop at my doorstep...

Thanks,

Steve,

UK

# posted by

Anonymous : 4:03 AM

As a "Son" of God (John 1:12), aside from the obvious need for regular time alone with the Lord for intimate rest and edification, and putting Him first in our lives... is it not true that we are to pray at all times, constantly, consistantly? The ONLY way that would ever happen, given the limited capacity we have in the midst of a broken world, is to pray constantly in the spirit, yes "tongues". I find it's the onlytype of prayer that can be done any and everywhere, at any time, that doesn't depend on MY capacity or strength. The Holy Spirit is always there, and is behind, and in, praying in tongues... taking care of the business we cannot. That's how I'm never too busy for God... He's with me constantly, in each and every activity.

# posted by

Jeff : 8:18 PM

Friday, August 03, 2007

Too Busy for God

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