In my work in the ministry over the years, I have seen how easily a pastor could fall into the trap of being so preoccupied with administering the needs in his church that he begins neglecting time in the Word, so from my firsthand knowledge of ministry struggles, I take time to study. Even early church fathers acknowledged that in doing the good work of the ministry, pastors sometimes neglected one of their most important duties: giving wholehearted attendance to the Word. I do more than merely urge my pastoral brethren to be committed to scriptural imperatives about study—I faithfully engage in it myself and serve as an example. Because, apart from disciplined study, the fruit of my labor will prove unsatisfying to the people of God who come to the table eager to be fed. As a person, I schedule my time to accommodate both study and prayer times, and I, in a spirit of discipline, carry out my studies in the spirit of prayer.
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