Take A Break! August 11, 2008
Posted by danpiet in Health, Rest & Rejuvenation.trackback
Okay, taking a break is not the easiest thing with the start of fall. But as you enter the labor intensive fall season here are some ministerial practice suggestions adapted from our brethren, the Evangelical Free Church . . .
Nights Out A Week
· 1 evening - Of Course
· 2 evenings - Ok
· 3 evenings - Ok, but ask your family
· 4 evenings - No! There is a better way
Weekly Sabbath
· I don’t take one at all - ????
· I try but it disappears - Select a different day
· Of course - Yes!
Monthly
· Establish a monthly personal retreat day away from the office
As Howard Rice reminds us,
Whatever the shape of our own spiritual lives, the task of keeping our souls alive is the single most important activity in which pastors can engage. Without stretching our souls we can dry up and become immune to the words and acts that form the
heart of our pastoral work. (Rice 1998, The Pastor as Spiritual Guide, p.169)
Quarterly
· Take a quarterly retreat to refocus. Regularly and prayerfully processing our own patterns, priorities, and practices along with the congregations is essential for being able to remain discerning as a ministerial leader. The disciplined pattern of pause is a healthy practice!
Comments»
No comments yet — be the first.