Practicing Holy Habits in Ministry
by Bishop Debbie Wallace-Padgett, United Methodist Church (2000, DMin)
It was a cold January day in 1996 when I began the Doctor of Ministry program at Asbury Theological Seminary. Though I had been on the Wilmore campus several times previously for meetings and conferences, this was my first experience as an Asbury student. I could not have imagined how large a role my 41⁄2 years in this program would play in preparing me for my future ministry.
By the time I became an Asbury Theological Seminary student, I was well into my thirties. I had already served in ministry for 14 years: first as a lay diaconal minister and later as an elder. My educational experiences at Scarritt College and Graduate School and Lexington Theological Seminary had equipped me for service in the church.
However as a lifelong learner I was drawn to continue my formal education. After exploring several possible seminary options, I decided that the accessibility and quality of the Asbury Theological Seminary Doctor of Ministry track was the next right educational experience for me. I was particularly interested in the Biblical Preaching major as I treasured the preaching moment and wanted to grow in my capacity to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Even so, after one Spiritual Formation class with Dr. Reginald Johnson, I felt led to change my major. Though my desire to continue to grow as a preacher had led me to Asbury, I realized that I was ultimately there for a different reason – to further develop my commitment to Spiritual Formation.
Practicing the holy habits regularly was not new to me. Now, however, I was ready to take my spiritual formation practices up a notch by focusing on them with increased intentionality and intensity. Choosing to go down this pathway changed my life forever.
Nowhere has this decision been more important for me than in my current role. In fact, one of my first thoughts after hearing my name called as a newly elected bishop at the 2012 SEJ Jurisdictional Conference was, “I need to double the time I spend in Bible reading and prayer.” I have done that, too- not because I am an especially holy or disciplined person- but because deep in my soul I know that if I do not spend adequate daily time with God, I will lose my bearings. Staying grounded in Christ is my first and foremost priority every day. Out of that commitment flows my preaching, leading, pastoring and administering as a bishop in the church. For that matter what I do as a spouse, mother, daughter, sister, friend, citizen and in my other life roles is deeply influenced by my daily time with God.
Yes, it was a cold January day in 1996 in Wilmore, Kentucky, when I started on an educational experience which would prepare me in deepened ways for my current ministry. In addition, as a result of it, I grew in my relationship with Jesus Christ. I am forever grateful to Asbury Theological Seminary for this experience.