The Adventurous Pastor
I just wrote an article for Sermon Central titled The Adventurous Pastor.
Here's an excerpt:
A few years ago I played hooky from church. Instead of going to our Saturday night services, my son and I hit the ski slopes. It was the last weekend of the ski season so it was our last chance to go after one of the life goals we share in common: learn to snowboard.
We were awfully sore at the end of the day. Especially my backside! But it was one of those unforgettable days. And there is one moment in particular that is frozen in my mind. Literally. We were riding up the chairlift as the blizzard-like snow was coming down. And I heard the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. I realized, in that moment on that chair lift, that my life had completely revolved around National Community Church for the better part of a decade. On one level, when you plant a church, you've got to pour your heart and soul into it. Sacrifices are par for the course. But I came to the convicting realization that I didn't really have much of a life outside of church. It was as if the Holy Spirit said: Get a life!
I'm afraid that many pastors, if we were completely honest, would have to admit that we have no life outside of church--no hobbies, no relationships, no interests, no goals, no margins. And we wonder why we're bored with ministry. So let me share a few ways to adventurize your life...
You can read the entire article here.
Here's an excerpt:
A few years ago I played hooky from church. Instead of going to our Saturday night services, my son and I hit the ski slopes. It was the last weekend of the ski season so it was our last chance to go after one of the life goals we share in common: learn to snowboard.
We were awfully sore at the end of the day. Especially my backside! But it was one of those unforgettable days. And there is one moment in particular that is frozen in my mind. Literally. We were riding up the chairlift as the blizzard-like snow was coming down. And I heard the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. I realized, in that moment on that chair lift, that my life had completely revolved around National Community Church for the better part of a decade. On one level, when you plant a church, you've got to pour your heart and soul into it. Sacrifices are par for the course. But I came to the convicting realization that I didn't really have much of a life outside of church. It was as if the Holy Spirit said: Get a life!
I'm afraid that many pastors, if we were completely honest, would have to admit that we have no life outside of church--no hobbies, no relationships, no interests, no goals, no margins. And we wonder why we're bored with ministry. So let me share a few ways to adventurize your life...
You can read the entire article here.
4 Comments:
From a pastor who has been in ministry for 20 years and is now planting a church - I can so resonate with your realization. Although planting is a "full" expreience, demanding lots of time and energy, I now find myself with time to actually do life and ministry out of desire and not a job description. I am sure this reflects more on my own sicknesses than my previous church positions. It is incredibly freeing to "get a life" that involves the adventure of finding God throughout every area of your life!
Thanks for the challenge Mark!
Again, great thoughts. I am an associate minister, which basically means I do the youth work plus all the all odds an ends that don't fall into the realm of preaching on Sunday morning. The calendars fills up quickly, but you have to carve out time for the family and other interests. Being a minister may be who you are, but its not ALL of who you are.
Mark,
Good for you!!!!
It is great to see other people in ministry see the value of the priority of having a life.
In the past whenever I was tempted to feel a little "guilty" about "having a life", I would always remind myself during a canoe trip, fishing with my son or mountain biking with my daughter this one statement. "I have to have a life to show others how to get a life."
Thanks for blog post....I met you at AWAKEN L.A....you signed Wild Goose Chase pre book booklet.
Steve Lummer
wwww.prescottfirst.com
www.stevelummer.wordpress.com
www.bombaz.net
Good stuff Mark! Us leaders have a way of believing that it all has to revolve around us and who we are. Separating on a regular basis reminds us that this "church" thing is God's, not ours!
Paul Kuzma
www.pastorforlife.com
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