So a major part of the pastor's responsibility is to focus on developing personal spirituality. Time spent in prayer, reflection, and listening for the voice of God is at the heart of the pastor's calling. Indeed, The Book of Discipline 1996 calls for every pastor to devote at least one week in each year and at least one month during one year of each quadrennium to focusing on spiritual formation. However, one week a year and one month every four years is not enough time for the pastor to devote to this work which is at the heart of ministry. It must be a part of every day, and thus find its rightful place in the heart and soul of the pastor's life.
Spiritual formation requires deliberate work to make a difference in a person's life.
While every individual is different, the one constant for all people is that a certain amount of diligence and discipline is required for nurturing our spirituality. Spiritual life is nurtured in several ways. We need private, quiet time to cultivate a spiritual life. This time may be spent reading Scripture, reflecting on devotional material, entering into personal prayer, or meditating quietly. Usually some combination of these practices, and perhaps others, will lead to the spirituality that is sought.