The Pastor’s Quiet Time (Part 1)

In 1956, we moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and I began my first ministry. I soon settled into a weekly schedule: prepare two sermons and a Wednesday night devotional, visit folks, and oversee Pioneer Girls and Boy’s Brigade. I was home with the family most evenings. Now fast-forward 50 years, and consider the 21st-century expectations for pastors. There’s often a staff to lead, and there are a myriad of specialized ministries for women, men, youth, children, and senior adults to plan and oversee. There are small groups to launch, and summer VBS and sports camps to plan. Then there is the whole matter of outreach and the great deal of thinking and planning that involves. The word busy is an understatement! So where does the pastor’s quiet time fit in?
We can find some help in the first chapter of Mark. Here Jesus initiates His Galilee teaching ministry in Capernaum. As we examine his first day, we see that it divides neatly into morning, afternoon, and evening. Jesus spent the morning in the synagogue teaching (Mark 1:21-28). He taught with authority, but the morning service was interrupted by an outburst from a demon-possessed man. The devil was already at work on that first day.
That afternoon, Jesus and the 12 went to Peter’s house for dinner. But ministry was not over for the day. Simon’s mother-in-law had a fever and was sick in bed. Jesus healed her, and as a result she was able to get up and prepare the meal for them (Mark 1:29-31). The word had spread about the earlier healing of the demoniac, and no doubt the news spread quickly about this woman’s healing as well. Consider the evening.
In Mark 1:32-34, we see that by the evening an immense crowd of needy people had gathered at Peter’s door. Jesus must then have spent hours in healing and deliverance work. Not bad for the first day, but it must have been absolutely exhausting. Perhaps that’s how you feel at the end of the day. What did Jesus do?
After his exhausting day, Jesus got up early, found a quiet place, and spent time talking with His heavenly Father (1:35). What can we learn from Jesus’ example?

• The discipline of rising early
• The value of having a “place”
• The expectation of interruptions
• Having the right focus for our ministry (1:38-39).

Do you have a regular quiet time? If so, what has been the secret to success for you in this area? I invite you to share your experiences.