Today’s guest post comes to us from a long-time member of my Titanium Coaching Network, Kent Wilson. Kent is an ordained Lutheran minister who now serves as an assistant to a bishop after 26 years in parish ministry. On the fitness side, Kent is a certified Functional Aging Specialist and developed his own workout system available at www.9Minutes2Fit.com.

As a pastor who also has a keen interest in fitness, I can’t help but wonder, why are so many Christians, lay and fellow clergy alike, physically out of shape?

Wouldn’t you expect followers of Jesus to be some of the healthiest people on earth?

Here’s my theory…

I don’t think we realize that, deep down, fitness is a spiritual issue. Instead, we’ve allowed the reasoning of secular vanity to fill the void. You know, promises of living longer, fewer chances of getting a disease, promises of looking better at your high school reunion and the like.

Those reasons, while nice, are pretty vain when you think about it. And maybe that’s why they don’t have staying power even in the general population, let alone among Christians.

In other words, maybe we need a bigger “Why?” A sustainable faith-based reason to get in shape.

Let’s begin with a few spiritual questions…

1. Do you believe that your body is ultimately a gift from God?
2. Can you find it in your heart to thank God for the gift of your body (as it is now, even if it’s not quite the way you hoped it would be)?
3. Would you like to demonstrate your thanksgiving by simply taking good care of the gift (your body) you’ve been given?

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Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.