Welcome back to the continuation and conclusion of my interview with pastor and author Kevin DeYoung. Read part one of the interview
here.
Kevin, what single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your effective use of time?
I am always struggling to use my time well. I do a lot, but I think in the midst of doing a lot I hide a lot of laziness. The best counsel I received was to take a Sabbath. It is really true that God will give us grace to accomplish more in six days than in seven if we trust him enough to rest.
What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your leadership?
I’ll give you three things I’ve learned or heard from others: (1) Except in the rarest of circumstances, don’t move ahead unless you’ve worked to get your other leaders on board. (2) You are the pastor for the whole church, not just for the group that likes you the most. (3) Remember how Jonathan Edwards got fired: don’t think that writing good papers to prove your point is sufficient for casting a vision or getting your goals accomplished. Leadership is about your relationship with others.
Where in ministry are you most regularly tempted to discouragement?
Of course, it can be discouraging when people criticize you or forget how you’ve cared for them. But honestly I am most discouraged by the coldness of my affections, my selfishness, and my shortcomings as a pastor.
Do you exercise? If so, what do you do? If not, why not? (Please be specific.)
I exercise more in the 7-8 outdoor months in Michigan. From April-mid November, I run regularly, probably 4 times a week (usually 3 miles) during the summer and once or twice a week in the spring and fall. During the winter I run sparingly. I really like to exercise (running, swimming, push-ups, whatever), but I don’t do it as much as I’d like.
Currently, what sport do you like to play and/or watch?
I like almost any sport. I like to play ultimate frisbee (even if C.J. says it’s not a sport) and basketball. I follow college basketball and college football (Spartans), NFL (Bears; what a dismal year), NHL a little (Blackhawks), and MLB the most (White Sox).
What do you do for leisure?
Play with my kids, go out with my wife, read, write, watch sports.
If you were not in ministry, what occupational path would you have chosen?
Something in politics or academia.
Kevin, thanks for the interview (although it grieves me to see ultimate frisbee in the same sentence as basketball!).
Seriously though, thank you in particular for the time you have devoted to writing. You have served us well with your gift. I want as many people as possible to read your stuff. That is why I promote your books wherever I go.
In fact, your books will be the topic of my next blog post.
Thank you, my friend!