A veteran pastor has shared seven personal habits that he says help church leaders serve for decades. The article, published by Lifeway Research on November 9, 2026, was written by a pastor who has led the same church for 32 years. He says the habits that sustain a pastor are the same spiritual disciplines that form every Christian.
What the Pastor Wrote
The writer describes days when he felt overwhelmed in ministry. On those days, he says, he returns to his early faith as a teenager who rode his motorcycle alone to church. He says he remembers that calling began with simply him and Jesus.
He also recommends a planned pause before preaching and in daily life. He points to the Hebrew word "Selah" in the Psalms as an example of a moment of intentional silence. He says this kind of stillness settles a restless heart.
The article lists practical habits. These include daily Bible reading, a set pattern of prayer, and turning off noise, including music, to make room for quiet. The writer also urges pastors to listen to the Holy Spirit and to read older Christian writers.
Background
The writer has served more than 40 years in ministry, including 32 as lead pastor of one church. He says he learned the need for quiet time after developing tinnitus during a COVID-19 illness. He says weeks of seeking quiet and focus before the Lord brought him peace.
He names several historical Christian leaders whose writings he recommends. They include Augustine, Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards. He also says a pastor's family life is a key test of whether his faith is real. He writes that faith must be practiced at home before a leader teaches it to a congregation.
What to Watch
The article is a personal reflection by one pastor. It does not present new research findings. Lifeway Research, a U.S.-based research organization associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, published the piece. Readers may look for further resources on spiritual disciplines the writer suggests.
