Editor's Note: The following article is an excerpt from "Seven Steps to Becoming a Healthy Christian Leader," a newly released title by Doug Munton. Munton's work echoes the research from Dr. Thom S. Rainer concerning the import of a healthy church leader's spiritual life as evidenced by personal prayer and devotion time.
We've all seen the kind of roller coaster rides many people take spiritually. They go to a seminar, or a camp, or some other event that touches their heart. They make promises to God. And they mean it. They mend their ways  at least for a while.
But before long they are back into the same old mess they were in before. Why? Sometimes the promises only last as long as the feelings. When the emotions wear out the resolve wears out.
Consistency isn't very glamorous. We are much more impressed by the decision, the moment of commitment. But consistency is essential for the kind of intimacy with God that we desire. Consistency is hard work. It takes effort to be consistent in a life devoted to the Lord over the long haul. Yet consistency carries benefits that can be gained in no other way.
Intimacy in a devotional life
I was a sleepy college student. Have a quiet time with the Lord each morning? It just didn't seem possible. There were too many late-night papers and midnight discussions to get up in time to read the Bible each morning. I couldn't spend time in prayer in the mornings, I reasoned, not with intense midnight foosball games.
However, through my roommate's example and my own spiritual longing, I began to spend time each morning reading the Bible and praying. The effort began to pay off.
As I began to gain a more consistent pattern of daily devotions, my closeness to God began to improve. There were times, quite honestly, when I got little out of my Bible reading. But I also experienced moments, sometimes quite unexpectedly, when God spoke to my heart in very significant ways. Often I began my devotions out of a sense of duty only to discover at some point a great sense of joy in the spiritual journey.
I must admit I don't always feel like having a quiet time with God. After years of quiet times and years of vocational ministry, I still don't always feel like having a devotional time. But, by being obedient and consistent, I often find my feelings come along. My intimacy with God grows as I spend time in his Word. A sense of closeness often follows the activity of a devotional life.
Intimacy in prayer
There is no cure for a lack of intimacy in prayer, like time spent in prayer. God loves to hear us when we pray. We are encouraged by God in Jeremiah 33:3, and in numerous other verses, to "Call to me ... ." Among the most challenging verses in the Bible is I Thessalonians 5:17, which says, "Pray continually." God desires us to be in an attitude of prayer all the time.
But frequency of prayer is not enough. On occasion, as I pray with my kids at bedtime, I find myself saying something without thinking. I have thanked God for the food, even though we aren't having a meal, just bedtime! It reminds me how easy it is for my prayers to become rote and routine.
Here's a novel idea: Words ought to mean something. The words I say in prayer ought to have some meaning behind them. I am talking to God. What I say must come from my heart and my mind and not just from my lips. God is not listening for the number of your words but for the meaning of your words.
Intimacy in Bible reading
God uses his Word to draw us closer to him. There is a power to his Word. It changes lives and hearts. It changes our perspectives and actions. The old time preachers understood this.
My grandmother died when she was in her 90s. She had served the Lord faithfully and fully and was ready to go home to the Lord. The pastor who preached her funeral service was not much younger than she was. For years he had preached God's Word. He had studied for messages and Sunday school lessons. He had read the Bible many times over.
During the service this older minister recited from memory a passage of Scripture. It was a familiar one for funeral services, one he had used many times, I am sure. But he did not just read it. He quoted it.
"Well," you say, "if he had used it many times before, it is not too surprising he could quote it." True. Except, that he quoted it from a newer translation of the Bible that was not even printed until he was well into his 60s!
This pastor, in his 60s or so, decided to take the time to memorize a portion of God's word in a new translation. Something about his Bible study must have stayed fresh and alive. Apparently his study of God's Word was more than just duty. There was a dynamic enthusiasm that characterized his treatment of the Bible.
Spiritual leaders who want to maintain closeness to the Lord are deeply involved in God's Word. It is still fresh and alive because they read it, study it and memorize it. Let the Bible be a part of your life. As you spend time reading God's love letter to you, you will learn to love him more!
Intimacy in worship
I have had some great worship experiences in my car. Of course, I love the opportunities to worship God in a large group setting. It is great to be a part of worship with hundreds of others in a church setting. But sometimes I love to worship God with no one else around.
For one thing, no one else can hear me sing when I am in my car. (Although I do have to be careful during stops at red lights!) I am not musically gifted. I love to sing; it's just that others don't love hearing me sing! I'm not sure if it is the lack of rhythm or the off-key pitch that bothers them most. Whatever the case may be, I can sing my heart out without fear of intimidation or intimidating while in the car.
Worship is, I'm convinced, a private matter that can be done publicly. That is, I can only worship God personally. It is from my heart to the heart of God. But I can also worship God in the presence of others.
The angels broke into praise at the announcement of Jesus' birth. They declared God's glory in the Temple in Isaiah's vision. The book of Revelation records their praises multiple times. Maybe praise is a big deal in heaven. Maybe it should be a bigger deal for us on earth.
My wife and I grew up in the Midwest. Vickie had never seen the mountains. So when we were offered a ski trip by a benevolent church member, she was ecstatic! Oh sure, Vickie had seen mountains on post cards and television. But when we flew into Colorado Springs, Colo., and saw those monstrous peaks, she was totally unprepared. We drove through that beautiful scenery for the next couple of hours while heading for the ski resort. All the way Vickie gasped as she took in the breathtaking sites.
Some of us have seen little postcards of worship. We think we know what worship looks like. But when we truly experience the presence and the breathtaking power of God, our worship takes on new dimensions. We are no longer satisfied with the two-dimensional when we have walked the mountain.
Get alone with God. Reflect on his blessings. Remember again his great love for you. Praise him for his goodness, his mercy, his grace. Gather with the saints and sing his praises together. From your heart to God's heart, let your worship be real and alive. Experience God's presence and glory in his closeness to you!
Intimacy in revival
When God touches the hearts of his people in revival, their spiritual intimacy with him is deepened. Revival is about God's people growing closer to him.
Unfortunately, our understanding of what revival is all about can be terribly confused. God desires his people to live in a state of revival. But far too often our tendency is to drift into a routine of spiritually connected activity with little spiritual vitality. That is what revival is all about.
Have you drifted from closeness with Christ? Has your spiritual life become dry and dreary? Healthy leaders recognize the importance of developing closeness with God. It's not enough just to work for God. He wants you to know him. Christian leaders who understand the principles of leader health know the importance of staying close to the source of health.
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Doug Munton holds a Ph.D. in evangelism and preaching from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been pastor of First Baptist Church in O'Fallon, Ill., since 1995. In that time attendance has increased from 550 to 1,600 and the church is home to the largest Sunday School in the Illinois Baptist State Association. A popular speaker and author of numerous articles on leadership and church growth, "Seven Steps to Becoming a Healthy Christian Leader," is Munton's first book.
Click for related Doug Munton articles from "Seven Steps":
