I am launching a new series today. I am calling it 4 Questions…  catchy huh? It is what it sounds like. I will interview people from all walks of life (Pastors, nurses, theologians, CEO’s, stay at home moms, etc.,) and ask them 4 questions. Here is the first installment of a two part interview with Norm Funk, Lead Pastor of Westside Church, Vancouver

1. What does your daily or weekly devotional life look like?

Most often it takes place in the morning – I’m an early riser, 5’ish – and incorporates a song or two of worship (listening), a daily reading (NLT read through the Bible in a year most often), I also read Chambers and Packers daily devotional. I end with the reading of a book I’m working through that has nothing to do with my sermon prep. I follow this pattern about 4-5 days a week with some weeks less and some more.

I also incorporate walks and times of solitude in my rhythm of life – I do this better in summer months. I like walking through the Endowment Lands, which is near where I live, and listening to sermons or worship music. I am also a podcast junkie and listen to helpful uploads – i.e. Whitehorse Inn – on a consistent basis in addition to sermon downloads.

I am not a weekly or monthly faster but we do set aside 2 or 3 days of corporate fasting on our ministry calendar at Westside. Additionally, over the last 2 years I have done two 30 day fasts in later summer/early fall – I could write a short book on the power of these times and things learned and experienced. I cannot encourage the practice of longer fasts enough.

2. Give a piece of leadership advice for Pastors and marketplace leaders.

For Pastors: simply, be the type of Christian you want your people to be and be committed to your personal devotions.

For Marketplace leaders: consider the ways the gospel can effect how you do business and work that goes beyond bringing a Bible to your office and inviting people to church. Instead ask: “how does/should my relationship with Jesus effect how I think about what I do and the goals I have? How can my job/business make an impact for the kingdom of Jesus?”

3. What are one or two strategies for reaching and transforming our cities and even our country for Jesus?

Prayer and the teaching and preaching of the Bible. I can’t comment on the lack of prayer in our country but I can comment on the lack of Bible teaching and preaching – it’s nothing short of tragic. I’d rather have God raise up a dozen 70 year old Bible preachers for Canada over the next 5 years than 500 Planters who may know a lot about social media and hipster frames but little about unpacking the text. We’ve got enough of those and it ain’t working.

4. What are some of the biggest challenges of Pastoral ministry, and some of the secrets to being healthy in leadership?

Wrongful comparison is over the top prevalent today as are attitudes of competition and jealousy towards others and their ministries. When you lead out of things like those you will lead wrongly and harmfully. Tied into this, we live in a time where our congregations will compare their pastor to others, others they can view and podcast with the click of a mouse. What this leads to is either a disappointment in their pastor or an unhealthy pride in them – both have devastating effects personally and corporately.

Additionally, the pressure – self or other-inflicted –  for pastors to measure up leads them to steward things they aren’t called to steward which leads to overwork, self-medication, a lousy marriage/sex-life, resentful kids, and eventually, failure or burn out. What’s needed to curb this? A supportive Eldership, a clear job description, a fair salary, honest evaluations & clear measurement grids,  and most importantly, a great devotional life.