Here We Go

I am new to this. Some of my peers have warned me not to do it. Others have said it will give me a more direct connect to our constituents. I choose to listen to the "direct connect" guys. So here we go. I do have a few groundrules by which I will operate (since it is my blog :)).

I want this to be a forum for sharing ministry ideas. If you want to talk about convention things, give me a call at 800-466-5290 x 201. Here I want to spend time writing and reading about my passion--ministers and ministry.

I will not personally attack anyone and I urge those who submit responses to follow the same principle. Nothing is gained. We can openly and candidly discuss ideas and issues but do so in love and with a spirit of edification.

I will generate topics for discussion, but hope you will suggest those that will be helpful to you and your ministry as well.

I will seek to honor the name of Jesus. He has done so much for me. I don't want to do anything to bring dishonor to him.

Thanks for taking the time to journey with me.

 

 

 

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Good start

Submitted by skstarkiller on Wed, 02/06/2008 - 8:48pm.

Dr. Lee,

I am excited to see you start blogging. I think it will be a great resource for our people. I'd be interested to hear what you think Pastors and Ministry leaders can do to say fresh and avoid getting burned out.

~Phil

Avoiding burnout in ministry

Submitted by dlee on Fri, 02/08/2008 - 7:16am.

Here are some things I have learned along the way.

- Follow the example of Jesus and take time away. We as ministers tend to think that working harder helps us address the stuff that is constantly going on around us and in us. Some of us even take pride in our "no days off" "no vacation" schedules. Jesus modeled for us the importance of taking time to get away and refresh.

- The advice most of us hate to follow is this--exercise, eat right, and get enough sleep. I know how hard that is. In fact, I am convicted as I speak.

- Do something that takes your mind off of your work. Especially do something you can actually finish. We do not have the luxury in ministry to come home at night with the feeling that we completed our work. It seems to us that our work is never finished. That alone adds to burnout. Do something different-sports, hobbies, handiwork, clean out the garage, etc.

- Learn something new. Attend a workshop or a seminar. Do something on e-quip.net. I especially like to attend one business seminar a year. Business people often have their finger on the pulse of what people are thinking. I usually come away from these experiences with something new or fresh. I am also stimulated to rethink something I am presently doing.

- Spend time with friends and laugh. It is good medicine.

- Take an extended break periodically. I am a big fan of sabbaticals for ministers. I personally think it is one of the best investments a church can make in their ministers and their ministry. If possible, it should be at least a month. BCMD staff are allowed a month sabbatical every three years. I, in fact, plan to practice what I preach this summer. I am eligible this summer, and I am planning to take my sabbatical to rest and do some dreaming about the future.

-If you feel you are getting stuck, talk to somebody. In our convention we provide financial assistance for ministers and their families who need counseling. Don't wait until you hit the wall. I guarantee that hurts much worse than swallowing a little pride. 

Hope this helps.