David Eldridge, pastor of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, said the essential thing for pastors is the “care of the soul.”

“We can be so busy in doing the Lord’s work that we neglect to spend time with the Lord,” he said. “Like Martha, the sister of Lazarus, we can be ‘busy inside the kitchen’ and neglect sitting at the feet of Jesus as Mary chose to do.”

Eldridge was one of two presenters for the “Intentional Leaders” series Sept. 17 at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions facility in Prattville. State missionaries Ken Allen and Rob Jackson served as hosts.

Eldridge didn’t disparage the work that Martha did since both Jesus and the disciples enjoyed the meal she prepared for them. But he said the “gentle admonition” from Jesus is one pastors must hear.

‘Vocational hazard’

“An inherent vocational hazard in ministry is neglecting our own Bible study and prayer life,” he said.

“Of course we study every week for Sunday’s sermon, but we must study the Bible for our own growth as well. An associate reported that pastor (and author) A.W. Tozer removed his suit in his church office and had ‘prayer pants’ that he changed into, and these pants were worn at the knees.”

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This article was originally published at TheAlabamaBaptist.org.