Why I Built A Study (And You Should Too)

C.S. Lewis once said that “the true reader reads every work wholeheartedly, making himself as receptive as he can.” Every Christian should have a study — whether it’s a small study at home, a short shelf in the living room, or a backpack filled with books, it is both good and necessary.

The purpose of a study shouldn’t be for the sole intention of gathering information (although that partly what happens), but to be discipled by saints who have gone before us and those whom the Lord is at work through currently. While there isn’t anything new under the sun, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing new for you to learn today.

For years, I have been curating my library. It’s taken so many different shapes over the last fifteen years. I’ve owned too many books, given books away, sold others, and then crowded my desk and shelves again. Looking back, I don’t see indecisiveness, but sanctification. The Lord has used countless authors to shape how I think about life, ministry, and the quiet rhythms of ordinary faithfulness.

Books, productivity, and strategic learning have not been nerdy investments nor have they only been interests due to “my wiring,” but they have been formative and the Christian life is formational. As a pastor, I’m not just called to the preparation of sermons or theological development, but meaningful discipleship. A pastor’s study is a wonderful step toward personal discipleship. A reminder that pastors are not only students, but sheep too.

There are books that have been challenging, while others have been comforting. But one thing that’s for sure, the Lord has used books to help shape an approach to faithful ministry and the stewardship of presence.

So, build the study — whatever it looks like. Do the reading — not just for information, but formation. Start with where you are and with what you can — that’s the point of being faithful. And over time, watch the Lord shape the posture of your heart as you steward your time, ministry, and ordinary rhythms.

Lewis reminds us that the true reader approaches every book with an open heart. May we do the same, trusting that the Lord often uses faithful authors to form faithful disciples.

Pseudo-Productivity

When I worked for the City of McAllen, there was an unspoken rule that claimed our office: we could not leave our desk earlier than 5:00 p.m. On most days, my co-worker would stop by my office around 4:15 p.m. to chat about upcoming projects and current programs that we ran within Parks and Recreation. On occasion, our director would drop by and ask, “what are you boys talking about?” We’d share an ambiguous idea with our intention being to speak long enough until the clock struck 5:00 p.m.

Oddly, for my co-worker and I, even though 5:00 p.m. was the official “quitting” time we still had responsibilities at our facilities in the evening! If we didn’t, during the slow seasons such as the winter breaks, we normally accomplished our work shortly after lunch. But 5:00…

I digress.

These conversations were simply water-cooler chats, exchanges meant to pass the time and give the appearance of productivity. We both knew what we were doing. We “worked” for the sake of activity, not productivity.

PASTORAL MINISTRY
Now, after ten years of pastoral ministry, and up until recently, I’ve learned that I carried some of this ethic into my current responsibilities. Earlier this summer, I read Cal Newport’s book, Slow Productivity, and his opening chapters begin with the tale of what he calls pseudo-productivity which he defines as “using visible activity as a crude proxy for actual productivity.”

I’ve learned that on one hand, there’s a self-imposed pressure that I place on myself to be working all day because of personal guilt. I think to myself that if those in my congregation who work 9-5 jobs or work in trades can’t have afternoons free then neither can I. My guilt tells me that even though my evenings are booked by counseling sessions or discipleship opportunities, I need to work just as long, if not longer, than everyone else.

Then, on the other hand, I have this preconceived notion where I think my congregation is thinking that I should be working around the clock — not simply for the sake of availability, but hustling unhealthily. And yet, as I’ve shared these thoughts with members in my congregation, none of them feel that way. They care about whether or not I’m healthy so that I can continue to preach/teach, pastor, and develop leaders in the church.

The result of these two self-imposed pressures the experience of spiritual and mental exhaustion — not quite burnout, but the symptoms are similar: frustration, cynicism and apathy.

THIS ISN’T UNIQUE
I’m not the only pastor or ministry leader who experiences this. I’ve met with several pastors who shared similar experiences and similar pressures, but do not know who to share it with for fear of being misunderstood and having poor ethic.

The truth is, ministry is simply different and when we fold previous ethics and expectations (apart from personal ones) into our current ministry then the possibility of spiritual exhaustion increases. In short, ministry requires us to work differently and because of this, there is much more freedom than we think. The challenge is embracing some of that freedom.

FAITHFULLY PRESENT & PRODUCTIVE
It’s not uncommon to wear multiple hats in a ministry context. Therefore, our approach towards work may look different from many. However, that does not mean nor does it imply that pastors and ministry leaders work less diligently — far from it. We must understand that ministry is a work of faithful presence and productivity.

In his book, Newport provides three principles for what he calls Slow Productivity. Here, I’ve adapted them in a way that may be more suitable for those in ministry to consider:

1. Think Deeply
   One of the great gifts of pastoral ministry is thinking deeply on the word of God; reading sound theology for a deeper understanding of the Scriptures and your own formation; communion with God; and prayer over your church. This methodical work benefits your personal spiritual formation and that of your congregation. Whether it’s an entire day or time blocking your schedule, think deeply on the things of God.

2. Work at a Natural Pace
   If you’re a solo pastor or are a part of a small staff team at your church, you cannot get to everyone all of the time. In fact, to do so would be irresponsible because that could imply that you’re not protecting precious time that you could be spending with your family, friends, or at work in something else that gives you life (that’s right, I said it). While this entry isn’t so much about guarding your time, you should still consider to work at a more natural pace when it comes to meeting with leaders, staff, and members in your congregation. This does not mean there will not be moments or seasons of intensity, emergencies, and tragedy. This does not undervalue the significance and weight of pastoral care either, but we need our shepherds to be healthy and whole as they carry the burden and blessing of this call in our local churches.

3. Obsess Over Quality
   Learn your strengths and make them stronger. You and your congregation will benefit greatly from this. It’s not that weaknesses or areas of improvement are unimportant. It’s that you are not gifted at everything and that’s okay. While this could be for another post, a side note would be to recruit and develop other leaders to help where you are weak (Ephesians 4:11-13). For now, where you are strong, grow stronger. When I replanted our church, I knew that I was gifted in teaching, but wanted learn more and grow to be a good and faithful preacher. Since then, there hasn’t been a season of ministry where I wasn’t in a preaching cohort, had a pastoral coach, read books and asked questions, or went to preaching workshops to learn from other godly and gifted men. I thank my church for allowing me these opportunities and not only have I grown as a preacher, but my church has been blessed from it.

What kind of pressures do you place on yourself that keep you from being faithfully present and productive? What kind of unnecessary burden do you carry that is keeping you from growing as a healthy and whole disciple of Jesus?

RECOMMENDED READING
1. The Solo Pastor: Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of Leading a Church Alone by Gary L. McInTosh

2. Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

3. The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church by Timothy Witmer