As a pastorI felt I had to watch out with health risks since I’m meeting with people often and often they want to eat when we meet up; and our church was small so I work at home. Those two things are things that if one is not careful can negatively hurt a pastor’s health.
Often I find pastors aren’t necessarily lazy. Its a job that can have a lot at hand that’s hard to turn off the clock when there’s needs all odd hours.
So I try to walk for health.
I tried walking an hour a day during the weekdays but the hard part is when I’m walking my mind keep thinking I have so many things I need to do with ministry and that made me want to walk back home early to get things done. So I start multitasking when I’m walking; calls that I know would be long I would make those calls when I’m walking. There are also those I know I can just call to encourage them I also do that when I’m on my walk when I’m done with my main call; I felt focusing on ministering to others while I walk also allowed me to walk further since I’m not thinking about my walk or thinking about how much need to get done so I should go back. So that’s a plus health wise since I’m not thinking all the time about exercising which can demotivate me if I over-focus on “I need to exercise, I need to exercise.”
I often walk and read at the same time but I realize that’s not everyone (my neighbors were actually concern I will one day trip and fall if I’m not paying attention). If that’s something you can do I found the benefit of that is I remember things better since other motor skills are engaged, in similar ways that studies have found people who read a physical book with things like turning the page and words location on a page helps students retain memory better than reading on an electronic device. When I go back home and put what I highlighted on my word document for say a sermon I can remember “ah that was the block where I literally turned a corner and also turned a corner for this interpretative issues etc.” I use to wonder if that’s a quirk but when I was in Asia there was a pastor that I went walking with and he told me all the spots on the trail we took where he changed theologically or was encouraged by something spiritual he read or listen to.
If reading while walking sounds like its dangerous in your area, I think listening to an audio book for edification and just simple rest and leisure also help.
Also off hours Sometimes before or after dinner when the season isn’t so quickly dark I also enjoy going on walks with my wife and girls just so walking doesn’t become a spiritual hermit exercise. Saturdays longer walks with kids can be one way to do a family time together that is relatively inexpensive while being healthy.
The Domain for Truth 
Good advice my friend!
Thanks BG!!!
I lost 20 pounds last year watching my diet and hitting the treadmill daily. Keep it up!
Wow praise God this is a good testimony I’m glad you commented with encouragement of others.
I have walked many hours praying my “prompted confessions / affirmations.” Maybe safer than walking and reading…. 😉
Haha yeah walking vs driving can be safer for me
Walking is good exercise indeed. I don’t like audio books or music when walking, I feel Creation gives a great audio of it’s own where I live. I often use walking as an opportunity to pray which I find very fruitful. And for those instant ideas I have my note app on my phone. I want to go out for a wee jaunt now!😁
Amen brother! God’s creation provides a wonderful symphony to enjoy. 😀
Awesome! What does wee jaunt mean? Lol
Wee = small, jaunt = pleasurable journey/walk.
A common phrase used in the UK
Good for you, Slim! Walking is a huge blessing, but I also struggle with it. Podcasts, music, and sometimes even sermons, can help to break the boredom! Hubby and I try to take a walk together everyday, so that really helps to motivate us, too.
I always think it’s funny, often people will tell you, “don’t feed that to my dog, that’s people food. It’s not good for them!” Well yes, and often what we call “people food” is not good for us either! We just need to start treating ourselves like some people treat their dogs, only organic, handcrafted high protein food, a daily walk, a soft bed shaped like a bone, a trip to the groomer every week…. 🙂
Wow interesting people can treat their dogs better than themselves
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones walked too. He said it was important for the individual to find out what works best for him or her. One can walk too long. It is good to pay attention to how you feel after different periods of time and the results in your body.
As my grandfather said: take care of your feet and they will take care of you. Get good shoes for your type of feet.
Don’t try to run a marathon in a day. In other words, work up to a goal. You’ll get there and your body will thank you. Enjoy the little victories on towards your journey.
The comments in the post are fantastic! Variety is a great spice of life. It makes the exercise fun.
Pastors have the toughest and the most rewarding job in the world. I’ve had coffee with pastor friends instead of eating. It is ok for pastors to say no too. 😀 May we love, pray for, bless and give grace to our pastors who shepherd us and watch over us for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanks for sharing these helpful points!! That’s also awesome what you do with your pastor!!
I like how that pastor you mentioned used walks as milestones of his belief: “he told me all the spots on the trail we took where he changed theologically or was encouraged by something spiritual he read or listen to.”
Thanks for sharing thjs
I commend you on your efforts. Reading while walking is one way to redeem the time. It’s good time management that’ll benefit your ministry and your health. Ministerial work is a stressful venture. It has a tendency of wearing us out mentally and physically. Studying, fellowshipping or visiting those in need or breaking bread are beneficial to the minister and his flock spiritually. I think that a minister that is willing to do the hard work of hitting the books, being in prayer and being in the life of his people should be praised. But such a lifestyle does not in itself lead to good physical health. I believe like Sye Ten Bruggengate said one time, “we can live off donuts” if the Lord wanted to preserve us in such a manner. There are those in the world that live on much less. However, God created our bodies for physical labor. Our cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular systems are benefited from activity. Like you I try to make an effort to exercise. I try to job about three times a week. I prefer weight lifting but arthritis has set in my shoulders making that a painful venture. I used to consistently practice karate in a nearby dojo but my sensei had a change in work and health issues that led to a forced close down. I still practice my katas from time to time but not as consistently as I run. I cannot read and do that but like you I try to multitask. So I either listen to preaching or podcasts during that time. I have found that I am more mentally alert when I consistently exercise which benefits my study of God’s Word along with the reading of many other Christian and secular works. So exercise not only benefits our physical bodies but or mental and spiritual capabilities in the sense that we are better fit to do the necessary work the Lord has called us to.
Great advice brother! Very sound wisdom. I hope others take it to heart and put it into practice. God bless!
Thanks for sharing what you do and what you have done in the past. I hope this encourage others reading the comments with your input
We can all benefit from more walking …it’s just doing it that is the challenge.
Yes that is true
These are all such useful tips, Jimmy, and a challenge for us all. Praying for you, that you will be healthy in body, mind, and soul as you minister to yourself, your family, and church.
Thank you for your prayers Dora; weather seems to be warming up near DC area?
It is indeed! Spring is finally deciding to stay for awhile. God bless you this Lord’s Day as you minister in His strength, “the joy of the Lord is your strength”!
Jimmy, you and I think alike. I, too, try to multitask. I used to have my prayer time every day as I walked my dog, and that worked out pretty well. But now that he’s gone, I don’t walk as much as I used to, unless I’m walking to the store. During the winter and on rainy days I hop on the elliptical machine in the basement and pray, since it’s pretty boring exercise. (the scenery never changes!) Lately I’ve even been turning off the light to keep my ADD mind focused.
Thanks for the plug for audiobooks! 😉 I’ve noticed a lot more people are leaning toward that form of book, which can be “read” while doing other things.
Glad you posted about this. It’s important to get regular exercise and keep the pounds off. As I’ve mentioned previously, I had to walk around 60K steps per weekend at my job and that suddenly stopped when I retired. Thanks for the motivation. I’m going to write a post about this as well.
Awesome! I would like to give a link to your blog on this post when you do post it just as an extra thought on this important topic; reminds me again when we get near yeah? How goes your Saturday???
Thanks! It will probably be awhile before I get to writing it. It rained just about all day at ROC, which was fine with me because I needed R&R after raking this week.How is your Saturday going?
Excellent brother! I miss walking. I used to do it a lot but cannot anymore because of a medical condition.
Shalom!
OH wow that is understandable with cutting back on walking. Hope your Saturday was blessed!
Very important message! You my friend are a great pastor to a pastor.
Thanks for the kind words! What are you preaching on tomorrow?
Having almost been hit by traffic while walking *without* trying to read, I can’t endorse the practice. By all means, audio books and such are useful. A huge number of public domain books are available at Librivox, but it’s a guess as to which of the volunteer authors is good. Some are great. Of course, if you can afford it, there are many available commercially.
When I was in data entry jobs, not only did I listen to audio books, I also spent a lot of time with listening to articles (something I still do). Free reader Balabolka takes almost any text and turns it into an MP3 or other file, and even splits larger files into more manageable smaller files.
Here’s a big plus for the Edge browser. Both the desk/laptop and the mobile versions have immersive reader. A web article that caught your attention can be heard with one of many voices, and most are very good.
Thanks for sharing very insightful. I have not heard of Edge before and if I understand you correctly they have an audio reader of what you are looking at online? Does that include PDFs one read on the browser??
Edge is the tremendous improvement from Microsoft over Internet Explorer. It took a while, but Edge is excellent for functionality and privacy. (A few too many bells and whistles for me, such as shopping functions, but those can be easily declined or turned off.) When reading an entry on a site (not the home page), there is usually an Immersive Reader button at the top. Click that, and articles are decluttered and more readable. There’s a read aloud button after that. As for PDFs, it seems to be hit-and-miss, and I haven’t tried it with the mobile version.
Great advice and good explanation too about how pastors may be busy and lose focus on their own health due to love for the flock!
THanks for reading this! I pray you are doing well dear brother Michael
Reblogged this on clydeherrin.
I have done most of my deepest, thoughtful praying while walking. Many sermon outlines have come to fruition too.
Wow that’s awesome! That’s amazing sermon outlines come to fruition while you are walking!
Generally after much study, the walks seemed to consolidate all the information into a cohesive whole that was applicable to the group I was preaching to. But, other times while walking and meditating on a particular portion of scripture the holy Spirit gave me the outline for that text. I am not talking mystical, the outline was true to the context!
While I obviously not a pastor, this is how I operate for my school papers, blog posts and youth lessons. Thank you for sharing this, Larry. So glad I am not alone! I am thankful for both of you!!!!
Awesome you too Mandy! That’s awesome! Seems God does something when we are careful stewards of our bodies physically and also being around nature/creation and the Word, doesn’t it?
Yes! It’s the best way I know with how to process the deep truths of God and how to present them!!!!!
I’m looking forward to warmer weather with increased, early morning light. Perfect for walking!
Looking forward to that weather too!
Our health is very important. I know for me when Covid first came out. While everything was shutdown. I exercise at home, watch what I ate, and lose 30 lbs. And now, three years later, I have kept it off.
I give Chrrist the glory.
Praise God!!!
My sister calls a family member while walking home. I think it helps here to unwind from the stresses of work.
Wow that’s a good application
Pastors are not the only ones to be concerned about their health. When my wife died, my son had three days of bereavement – not paid, but his job was secure. But he was not ready to go back to work. He tried one day and had to leave within the first hour. Now with no sick days left this year, he was back at work for about a week and a half and he thinks it was a kindergarten child that wanted to hug him everyday that gave him Pink Eye. And then his own son came home with Strep throat. You can only wash your hands so many times a day.
How are you brother???
I am okay. I ride the waves of emotions, and I keep it together in public most of the time, but it is like pushing a four wheel cart with one or two wheels missing. Physically, the cancer tests came back negative, so I may be around for a while.
Walking is a major step in the right direction for health.
I personally was concerned about my health about 5 years ago. I began wondering “will I make it to my son’s high school graduation”. I began walking 30 minutes a day back then. I found it was so boring, that was the biggest stumbling block for me. I began listening to music, then upgraded to the Word. It was probably one of the best choices I have made in my life. It grew my faith tremendously, and I got my blood pressure more under control and began losing weight. In the last year though, I have been using an Elliptical, I HIGHLY recommend it. It seems to hit more muscles than my walks and I have noticed practical differences in my daily activities.
I will add that hearing an audio Bible, sermon, lecture, podcast, your Tuesday Night class back then or audio book has helped me a lot over the last 5 years. It was how I ended up leaving Arminianism behind in favor of Reformed Theology. So many times I would stop and have to rewind to hear those verses again, even make a mental note and begin studying it when I got home from my walk. It had a huge influence on how our family deals with theology. There was even some moments where I was listening in on your Tuesday night class while doing the Elliptical.
Wow thanks for sharing this. I really am praying something like Tuesday would be implemented again