As with any subject related to the Christian life, discussing physical exercise in the life of a pastor carries a double danger: legalism and antinomianism. Both terms are difficult to understand and apply, but my point, I hope, is simple: the antinomian pastor does not feel he has a great obligation to care for his body, while the pastor with legalistic tendencies in this area has many commandments about how to take care of your body. to stay fit and healthy. The two pastors think of different things when they hear “six-pack.”
However, with these two dangers in mind, we would do well to examine several reasons why Christians, and pastors in particular, exercise.
“Universal obedience”
An obvious and sustained lack of discipline in one or two areas of our obedience to God – such as prayer, church attendance, hospitality – very often reflects a lack of discipline in other areas of the Christian life. In chapter 8 of John Owen’s famous work on mortification, he emphasizes that we must aim for sincerity and diligence in all our obedience (“a universality of obedience”) if we want to succeed in mortifying our sin.
Referring to 2 Corinthians 7:1, Owen writes:
God’s work is to universal obedience. . . . If we want to do something, we have to do everything. So then, it is not just intense opposition to this or that particular desire, but a humble and universal state of mind and character, with vigilance against all evil and the fulfillment of every duty. , which is accepted. (Works of John Owen6:41-42)
If a pastor, or any Christian for that matter, shows great neglect in some area of life – including physical health – we rightly wonder if there is a pattern of general neglect. Although indwelling sin is present even among the most sanctified Christians, we should demonstrate a universal (that is, total) commitment to God in all the commandments that remain upon us (John 14:15, 21, 23) – not least because keeping a particular commandment is more difficult if one is actively breaking other commandments.
Breaking the Sixth Commandment
What passages of Scripture might command us to manage our bodies?
The sixth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13), requires us to wisely preserve our own lives and the lives of others. And if something is forbidden in the law, the positive is also commanded (see, for example, the way Paul treats the commandments both negatively and positively in Ephesians 4:25-32). In preserving our own lives, we should strive to eat well, abstain from gluttony and drunkenness (Deuteronomy 21:20), and engage in appropriate bodily exercise, such as walking, sports, or physical labor.
Both aerobic and anaerobic exercise have clear benefits. And especially for a pastor who spends a lot of time sitting, getting aerobic and anaerobic training can be crucial to their long-term physical and mental health. Whether with New Testament Greek or with your muscles, “if you don’t use it, you lose it.”
Paul also affirms the goodness of bodily training, commenting that it “has some value” (1 Timothy 4:8). Different types of exercises can relieve anxiety, stress and depression. Most pastors, especially churchgoers, need all the stress relief they can get. Additionally, just as exercise can release helpful hormones and neurotransmitters, obesity in men is linked to low testosterone levels. Low testosterone appears to be a new epidemic, even among younger men. Part of this trend can be explained by our poor eating and exercise habits. Obesity also leads to cardiovascular problems that can kill someone sooner than if they had stayed fit.
“Regular exercise will likely lead to greater productivity, not less, in the short and long term.”
Did Jesus care about physical health? Anyone who has carefully read the Gospel accounts will understand that our Lord walked a lot, and sometimes over distances and terrain that would have required great physical fitness. He probably traveled several thousand miles during his ministry, frequently traveling to Jerusalem for various festivals. And his own preaching shows his remarkable familiarity with God’s creation.
Neglected sin
We can denounce the lack of physical activity among children today, many of whom are overweight even in primary school (partly because of technological innovations that allow continuous stimulation). But adults are not safe from excessive use of gadgets and lack of exercise of their bodies. Can the minister, in good conscience, speak from the pulpit to young people about their excessive phone use and lack of exercise if he is just as guilty?
Ministerial laziness in physical exercise, replaced by overeating, seems to be an acceptable sin in North America. Pastors are supposed to be examples in our conduct, that is, in our overall lifestyle (1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:1-3). A pastor may denounce the harms of alcohol, sometimes displaying a legalistic approach to the subject, while remaining virtually silent on the immoderate use of food. Such ministers may be the type of people Solomon advises us to avoid: “Be not among the drunkards, nor among the gluttons for meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will fall into poverty, and sleep will cover them. in rags” (Proverbs 23:20). –21).
It is now recognized that weight issues are a complex issue. Although many are overweight due to their own indulgence, I have no doubt that it is much more difficult for some to maintain weight than for others. But then again, many sinful tendencies are harder battles for some than others. A naturally thin person may have other hidden inclinations toward sins that are not as obvious. We all have to work harder than others in our areas of weakness. We all have specific crosses to bear in our sanctification that, to others, are less of a burden.
Fruitful and Living Ministry
Claiming that you’re too busy to exercise is a pretty poor excuse. God is not a difficult taskmaster. We can rightly organize our lives and accomplish many things with some discipline. Regular exercise will likely lead to more productivity, not less, in the short and long term. You can also listen to a book or a podcast while walking.
For pastors, we have many reasons to eat well and exercise frequently. In addition to extending the duration of successful ministry, we will find ourselves more energetic for the vocational work to which God has called us, and we will set a good example for our flock. But a life of complacency will catch up with us in many ways, including perhaps losing the ability to minister energetically.
As we exercise and seek to stay healthy, we can also find unique ways to enjoy God. Appreciate the beauty of its creation by finding pleasant places to walk, run or cycle. Meditate on God’s glory and enjoy His goodness toward us, which manifests itself in more ways than we imagine. We are not too busy to stay healthy; in fact, to meet the inevitable demands of ministry, we cannot afford to neglect our physical health.
Exercise and ministry can be friends. For example, if a pastor can exercise by playing basketball, soccer, or another team sport – instead of walking or running alone – he can find unique ways to be part of his local community and develop relationships through which he can share the gospel. Reclaiming time is hard to do, but exercising in a social setting can have many benefits for a pastor.
God gives us His commandments to help us, not to hinder us. The sixth commandment offers us a good life – the life where we care for both others and ourselves. And pastors who care for their bodies care for and love their flock. Do not kill: that is, preserve your life, within reason, as much as you can. You will be happier in God, and He will be magnified in your life and your church by your enriched joy in Him.
