In nearly twenty years of serving on a church staff I sat in hundreds of staff meetings and training sessions. Some were functional and others were philosophical. One of the last meetings I attended in late October 2015 was a luncheon for young leaders at our annual mission conference. Pastor Clarence Sexton gave some very spiritual and practical advice to those in the room that day.

Just last week I came across the notes from that informal conversation and thought they were particularly helpful as we enter into a brand new year. Pastor Sexton shared them out of his heart with us and I want to pass them along to you now…

1. Have your own experience with God.
2. Do something that keeps you studying the Bible.
3. Take care of your family. Give attention to your life’s mate and children.
4. Spend your life coming to know Jesus Christ.
5. Make your local assembly the representative of Christ where you are. What would Jesus do there?

These short, succinct statements capture the essence of what is truly important in the Christian life. Not what you can accomplish. Not what you can achieve. Rather, the beautiful simplicity of pursuing Christ and leading others to do the same. It is not something new we need in the new year, but a fresh dedication to what is eternal.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

God allowed me to hear this advice as we were praying toward a new season of ministry. They can help all of us as we approach the new year. Perhaps you want to write them out as I did and put them somewhere as a reminder of proper priorities – your devotional walk with God, your family, your local church. May God help us all to give our attention and energy to what is vital this year!