The beginning of the school year marks, at many churches, the beginning of a new season of ministry. Children get "promoted" to the next grade level—which in the church I grew up in, was a big deal. I still have the King James Bible with its blue imitation leather cover that I received on Promotion Sunday when I moved from the kindergarten to "Primary I" on October 5, 1969.

At the time I was so proud; I was taking the next step—moving up, moving on. Now, many years later, at this important time when we promote kids to their next levels, I have a question for you: What are you doing to move your ministry up to the next level?

You may think I'm going to tell you to work harder, invest longer hours, or use more creativity. Nope. Not yet. Before you do any of that, there's an important spiritual discipline that needs to be in place in your life in order for your ministry to be all that it can be.

Last month, I encouraged you to take some time for solitude before the ministry season ...