Liberty University How Evangelical Pastors Manage the Four Areas of the Greatest Commandment—Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind—and Practical Applications for Obedience A Thesis Project Submitted to the Faculty of Liberty University School of Divinity in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry Department of Christian Leadership and Church Ministries by Herbert K. Smith Lynchburg, Virginia January 2020 i Copyright © 2020 by Herbert K. Smith All Rights Reserved ii Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity Thesis Project Approval Sheet ___________________________________ Dr. Donald Q. Hicks Assistant Professor of Practical Studies ___________________________________ Dr. Terry L. Faulkenbury Asst. Professor of Practical Studies iii THE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY THESIS PROJECT ABSTRACT Herbert K. Smith Liberty University School of Divinity, 2020 Mentor: Dr. Donald Q. Hicks The researcher was called to pastoral ministry at age fifty. Five decades of life outside ministry lends a unique perspective. The trappings of ministry were not unknown to the researcher, but living out a called ministry, combined with the determination and stamina needed for successful execution, was an unforeseen challenge. Senior pastors of evangelical churches lead busy lives personally and professionally. The pace of life in current culture, secular and religious, impede pastors from observing the greatest commandment with full effort (“all”) as Jesus directs every Christian to do. Obedience to the commandment is directed by Jesus as to employ the heart, soul, strength (or might), and mind (Matt 22:36-38, Mark 12:30-31, Luke 10:25-38).1 The whole of human existence is to be utilized in keeping the commandment. Accordingly, the four areas of heart, soul, strength, and mind are to be used as conduits of love toward God. These areas of our being drive us emotionally (heart), spiritually (soul), physically (strength), and intellectually (mind). A research of the health of evangelical pastors in these four areas is being conducted and reported here. Data from scholarly writings, media, experience, and scripture; each researched to render findings, address the problems, and identify practical, proven strategies and applications. An IRB approved long term question/response survey for further research was launched March 1, 2020. Word Count: 250 Key Words: Greatest Commandment, Pastors, Obedience, Heart, Soul, Strength, Mind, Love 1 (Matt 22:36-38, Mark 12:30-31, and Luke 10:25-38), New American Standard Bible (NASB). Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references in this thesis project will be from the New American Standard Bible. iv Acknowledgments This research and findings are dedicated to several individuals and institutions which have encouraged, enlightened, and enriched the life journey shared. Scripture paints believers as heirs of the benefits provided by others. God reminded the Israelites they had received “. a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant— then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord 6:10b-12a NIV). The following relationships with individuals and institutions influenced the life of the researcher: My wife, best friend, encourager, admonisher, and ministry partner: Katy Baynes Smith. My children, encouragers, and helpers, Mary, Paxton, Kelsy, Brayden, and Gideon. My parents, Herbert and Laverne Smith, and siblings Lynn, Leigh, Patty, and Ted. My parents-in-law, Jack and Harriette Baynes, and siblings-in-law Mark and Dawn. Dr. J. Truett Gannon Dr. Howard J. Cobble Rev. George R. Headley Rev. Michael C. Walston Rev. Lonnie Campbell Rev. Jim Crutchfield William Weeks, Sr. Rev. Dave Nelson Rev. Lee Ross Rev. Samuel Waldron Brad Stephens Michael Bird Dr. Jeff Shaw Dr. Don Hicks Dr. John Childers Dr. Gerald Colbert Johnny Lyons Scott Bryant Rev. Paul Scioto Ed Brandenburg Clayton Bunting Jr., III Matt Willmington Larry and Quinette Scott Mike and Nancy Rowe Jonathan Capps Mike Pineda Rev. Marty Youngblood Dino Carbetta Dean Lancaster Carl Seale Mark Kitchens Michael Rodriguez Rev. Craig Bowman M.L. and Gail Prince Skipper and Lynn Hudson Jimmy Skinner Carson Newman University Mercer University Atlanta University of Georgia Liberty University Heritage Point Church Porterfield Baptist Church Mecklenburg Baptist Church FBC Avondale Estates Peninsula Comm. Church Crossroads Christian School Berk and Chris Pennington Glenn Wood and Tina Wood v Contents Tables……..……………………………………………………………………………… ix Illustrations……………………………………………….……………………………… x Abbreviations...................................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1 ……………...................................................................................................... 01 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 01 Ministry Context..................................................................................................... 02 Problem Presented.................................................................................................. 06 Surveys Used for Research......................................................................... 07 Focus on the Family Pastoral Ministries 2009 Survey............................... 08 LifeWay Research Poll of 1500 Pastors……………................................. 18 The Pace of the Digital Age……………………………………………… 18 Lack of Helpful Resources……………………………………………….. 20 Church Conflict…………………………………………………………... 20 Misunderstanding of the Greatest Commandment ………..………….….. 24 Success in Ministry……………………………………………………….. 25 Overzealousness and Misapplied Priorities………………………………. 27 Failure to Reconcile………………………………………………………. 28 Apathy…………………………………………………………………….. 28 Choosing the Wrong Starting Place and Approach………………………. 29 Purpose Statement.................................................................................................... 30 Basic Assumptions................................................................................................... 31 Old and New Testament Accounts are Congruent………………………... 31 Trial and Hardship Should Be Expected………………………………….. 33 Prayer is Essential to Successful Ministry………………………………… 33 Human Self is Distinct from Human Existence…………………………… 34 All Four Areas of HSSM Work Together and Affect Each Other………… 35 Definitions…………………………………………………………………………. 37 Senior Pastor………………………………………………………………. 37 Love………………………………………………………………………... 38 All………………………………………………………………………….. 40 Heart……………………………………………………………………….. 41 Soul………………………………………………………………………… 44 Strength…………………………………………………………………… 47 Mind……………………………………………………………………… 48 Limitations and Delimitations................................................................................. 49 Limitations………………………………………………………………... 49 Delimitations………………………………………………………………. 51 Thesis Statement..................................................................................................... 52 vi Chapter 2........................................................................................................................... 53 Conceptual Framework...................................................................................................... 53 Obedience in Loving God...................................................................................... 55 With All Your Heart…………………………………………………………….. 56 With All Your Soul……………………………………………………………… 56 With All Your Strength…………………………………………………………. 58 With All Your Mind…………………………………………………………….. 59 Free Will versus the Sovereignty of God ……………………………………… 60 The Sovereignty of God………………………………………………… 61 The Free Will of Man…………………………………………………… 63 Resolving the Tension of God’s Sovereignty and the Free Will of Man. 65 Conclusion……………………………………………………………… 69 Literature Review………………………………………………………………. 72 Theological Foundations........................................................................................ 75 Theoretical Foundations......................................................................................... 81 Chapter 3........................................................................................................................... 90 Methodology....................................................................................................................... 90 Intervention Design................................................................................................ 92 Love............................................................................................................ 94 Heart............................................................................................................ 95 Soul............................................................................................................ 97 Strength...................................................................................................... 102 Mind……………………………………………………………………... 105 Implementation of Intervention Design............................................................................. 110 Seven Lessons from the Greatest Commandment.................................... 111 Table of Contents.......................................................................... 114 Exercise One: Healthy Relationship—Experiencing God..…….. 115 Exercise Two: Object of Love—Love Unleashed......………….