Hiking the Great Walk
A week ago I hiked the Waikaremoana Great Walk, 46 kilometres in New Zealand bush. It was both a long-time dream come true AND one of the hardest things I have ever done! There were points along the way where I enjoyed the sheer exhilaration of walking hour after hour through New Zealand native bush, and other points where, if I could have, I would have called for someone to come get me out of there! The weather provided rain for two days straight - including one night in an unproven and ultimately unreliable tent - 
and then gave me stunningly clear weather on the last day when I was 1100 metres above sea level. I hiked alone for hours at a time and then enjoyed the company of fellow backpackers in the evenings huddled around a struggling fire at night. I followed a clearly marked path for four days, and then got lost 15 minutes from the end. All in all, the walk was a great study in extremes and contrasts – a study I have had time to reflect on since.
One of the reflections involves a metaphorical look at the various experiences on the different days of hiking in comparison to church ministry.
I walked nearly 17 kilometres that first day. At the beginning, my legs were fresh. I had all the supplies I needed. I was excited about the journey ahead. And I took
off with all the confidence of someone who knew the path ahead would be full of fun and excitement. And it was, for the most part. Sure, there were some hard parts – unexpected mud, short and steep climbs, a backpack that seemed to grow heavier as the day went by. But I was feeling good, still relatively fresh. There were also some uncomfortable moments, like swing bridges that seemed to swing a lot more than they bridged. But I still felt a quiet confidence in those moments.
However, I made two big mistakes that day.
First, I let myself get very dehydrated. I carried a water bottle in my backpack, but because it was just too inconvenient to stop, remove the backpack, get the bottle out, drink, put the bottle back, put the backpack back on, and then get going again, I did not drink anywhere near enough water. The second big mistake is that I did not rest enough that first day. I just kept charging on, focussed on covering kilometres. I certainly fell into the trap of “destination over journey” that caused me to rush the progress.
I finished the day at the camp site at which I intended to finish. I got there about the time I expected to get there. I had enough energy and time to set up my tent, prepare one of those dehydrated backpacking meals (yuck!), and get organised for that first night’s sleep. But I had done some big damage that day that would make the next day nearly unbearable. And that’s what I want to think about in terms of ministry.
The Journey Begins
Ah, the early years of ministry! You have finished Bible training - ready to change the world. You are fresh, well-trained, and have an idealistic plan for how this journey will go. Sure, there will be some unexpected moments early on, but you have enough energy and momentum to keep going. You feel unstoppable and see early successes. You enjoy seeing lives changed, God’s power working in unexpected ways, and are so grateful you are a part of God’s plans for your community.
Perhaps you are still in those early years where you see most of your ministry ahead of you rather than behind you. What wonderful years those are! There are so many more miles to travel: ministries to try, sermons to preach, lives to impact, spiritual lessons to learn. They truly are wonderful years.
However, there are a couple of dangers you face:
Spiritual Dehydration
Just like my experience on the Great Walk, pastors can get spiritually dehydrated. The water is there, but with the busyness of ministry, it can be inconvenient at times to get that much-needed spiritual drink. At first, you don’t really feel the effects of spiritual dryness. You’re able to keep moving with residual effects from Bible training days. However, you begin to slow down, have less energy, and generally don’t feel as good about what is going on as you might have expected.
The Psalmist wrote, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” This verse highlights two aspects of keeping spiritually hydrated.
First, the remedy for thirst is the living God! Not seminars, books, conferences, or even – dare I say it – deeper Bible study. It is God Himself. If you are not deepening your relationship with God, you will slowly dry up - even with these spiritual activities.
Second, the remedy for thirst depends on your choice. The Psalmist asks: “When shall I come and appear before God?” The answer: “When I make the decision to do so.” You cannot blame your busy schedule on anyone but you. You cannot say, “I would like to spend more time in God’s presence just connecting with Him, but I have too much to do: too many appointments, decisions, meetings, studies, etc.” You will make time to do what is important for you to do. Plain and simple. Young pastor – please avoid spiritual dehydration by staying in God’s presence! Please don’t make the mistake of thinking working for God is the same as being with God.
Rushing the Process
On my hike, I didn’t stop and rest enough. And when I did stop, I was constantly thinking about getting going again. Therefore, I didn’t rest long enough and I didn’t get any enjoyment from the rest I was getting!
I see young pastors doing something like this all the time. I’ve heard 20-something year old pastors bragging about working a minimum of 70-80 hours a week. And you know, they have the physical stamina to do that…for a while. But that will catch up with you! You are a human. You are designed to need rest.
“Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.” I heard it many times when preparing for entry into God’s work.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Those are the words of tired old men.”
No, they're the words of experienced men in ministry who have learned – often a bit too late – that rest is a vital element for ministry effectiveness and longevity. Pastor, are you taking time to rest? Are you? You do need to rest. You do need to take off the backpack of responsibility and enjoy some relaxation time.
The second day of my hike was one of the lowest days of my life! I was drained, dehydrated, cold, wet, discouraged, and looking for a way out. Had I been more careful on the first day, the second day would have been much easier.
Pastor, the second phase of your ministry is coming.
Are you taking care of yourself now so that you will have what is needed to thrive?
Are you keeping yourself spiritually hydrated through a genuine relationship with the Lord?
Are you taking the time to rest?
One of the reflections involves a metaphorical look at the various experiences on the different days of hiking in comparison to church ministry.
I walked nearly 17 kilometres that first day. At the beginning, my legs were fresh. I had all the supplies I needed. I was excited about the journey ahead. And I took
However, I made two big mistakes that day.
First, I let myself get very dehydrated. I carried a water bottle in my backpack, but because it was just too inconvenient to stop, remove the backpack, get the bottle out, drink, put the bottle back, put the backpack back on, and then get going again, I did not drink anywhere near enough water. The second big mistake is that I did not rest enough that first day. I just kept charging on, focussed on covering kilometres. I certainly fell into the trap of “destination over journey” that caused me to rush the progress.
I finished the day at the camp site at which I intended to finish. I got there about the time I expected to get there. I had enough energy and time to set up my tent, prepare one of those dehydrated backpacking meals (yuck!), and get organised for that first night’s sleep. But I had done some big damage that day that would make the next day nearly unbearable. And that’s what I want to think about in terms of ministry.
The Journey Begins
Ah, the early years of ministry! You have finished Bible training - ready to change the world. You are fresh, well-trained, and have an idealistic plan for how this journey will go. Sure, there will be some unexpected moments early on, but you have enough energy and momentum to keep going. You feel unstoppable and see early successes. You enjoy seeing lives changed, God’s power working in unexpected ways, and are so grateful you are a part of God’s plans for your community.
Perhaps you are still in those early years where you see most of your ministry ahead of you rather than behind you. What wonderful years those are! There are so many more miles to travel: ministries to try, sermons to preach, lives to impact, spiritual lessons to learn. They truly are wonderful years.
However, there are a couple of dangers you face:
Spiritual Dehydration
Just like my experience on the Great Walk, pastors can get spiritually dehydrated. The water is there, but with the busyness of ministry, it can be inconvenient at times to get that much-needed spiritual drink. At first, you don’t really feel the effects of spiritual dryness. You’re able to keep moving with residual effects from Bible training days. However, you begin to slow down, have less energy, and generally don’t feel as good about what is going on as you might have expected.
The Psalmist wrote, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” This verse highlights two aspects of keeping spiritually hydrated.
First, the remedy for thirst is the living God! Not seminars, books, conferences, or even – dare I say it – deeper Bible study. It is God Himself. If you are not deepening your relationship with God, you will slowly dry up - even with these spiritual activities.
Second, the remedy for thirst depends on your choice. The Psalmist asks: “When shall I come and appear before God?” The answer: “When I make the decision to do so.” You cannot blame your busy schedule on anyone but you. You cannot say, “I would like to spend more time in God’s presence just connecting with Him, but I have too much to do: too many appointments, decisions, meetings, studies, etc.” You will make time to do what is important for you to do. Plain and simple. Young pastor – please avoid spiritual dehydration by staying in God’s presence! Please don’t make the mistake of thinking working for God is the same as being with God.
Rushing the Process
On my hike, I didn’t stop and rest enough. And when I did stop, I was constantly thinking about getting going again. Therefore, I didn’t rest long enough and I didn’t get any enjoyment from the rest I was getting!
“Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.” I heard it many times when preparing for entry into God’s work.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Those are the words of tired old men.”
No, they're the words of experienced men in ministry who have learned – often a bit too late – that rest is a vital element for ministry effectiveness and longevity. Pastor, are you taking time to rest? Are you? You do need to rest. You do need to take off the backpack of responsibility and enjoy some relaxation time.
The second day of my hike was one of the lowest days of my life! I was drained, dehydrated, cold, wet, discouraged, and looking for a way out. Had I been more careful on the first day, the second day would have been much easier.
Pastor, the second phase of your ministry is coming.
Are you taking care of yourself now so that you will have what is needed to thrive?
Are you keeping yourself spiritually hydrated through a genuine relationship with the Lord?
Are you taking the time to rest?