Welcome back to the third and final part of my interview with Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III (read part one here and part two here).

Ligon, where in ministry are you most regularly tempted to discouragement?

Everywhere in general, but nowhere in particular. I live in a quiet state of uncertainty that I am making a positive contribution to anything that is of any consequence, and simultaneously find myself loving what I do, very content in my labors and energized for ministry. That being said, seeing marital struggles among professing Christians often deeply troubles and burdens my heart.

Do you exercise? If so, what do you do? If not, why not? (Please be specific.)

I do not exercise (much), but I should. When I do, I like to walk (especially with my dogs, black lab mixes: Lass and Buddy). I used to lift weights, but I do not any more, but, again, I should. I am hoping to start back exercising and trying to lose 60lbs in the next ten months. I’ve just installed “Lose It!” on my iPhone. Pray for me. And pray for Anne and the kids too. I’m grumpy when I’m trying to lose weight.

Currently, what sport do you like to play and/or watch?

I used to play basketball and football. If I can lose some weight, I would like to play basketball again. I would seriously love to drive the lane, left to right, and give a behind the back dish to C.J. for a trey. But I’d hurt myself if I tried now, I’m so out of shape!

I enjoy watching (though I do it infrequently) college football, ACC basketball, “March Madness,” and I enjoy going to the occasional major league baseball game.

What do you do for leisure?

I like to (1) spend time with my family, (2) read, (3) hang out with good friends like Derek Thomas, C.J. Mahaney, Al Mohler, and Mark Dever, (4) watch sports, and (5) play with my dogs – there is something restorative about watching a dog run free in a huge field and dive into a lake and shake itself dry, tongue hanging out with delighted exhaustion.

If you were not in ministry, what occupational path would you have chosen?

I might have been a college or university professor of history, or perhaps have pursued a political or governmental career.

Thank you for your time, Ligon!