This week I had a conversation with a pastor who took on a significant challenge. He cleaned out the church basement. Among his findings was a small room piled full of junk. On the walls were some maps and other items that made him realize that people used to pray in that particular room. During those years it would seem the church grew and things went pretty well.
Over the years the little room that people used to pray in became a storage room. I am sure it all started innocently. However, as the junk increased in the prayer room the spiritual junk increased in the church.
Something to think about.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Is Honour still in?
Jim Molloy, in a recent article he wrote in his Districts newsletter says, "There are a few areas where I think we have departed from the way things used to be--to our detriment. One of these is the way we honor one another and those in authority among us. From child to parent, parishioner to pastor, peer to peer, employee to boss, dishonor is rampant in our society. We live in a culture of dishonor. Roasting and lampooning leaders is a common practice. Often we are experts at faultfinding. We think we are helping by pointing out these flaws but it has harmful effect."
Molloy goes on to say, "the way in which we speak about, or act around another person testifies of whether or not we honor them. I believe that honor should be given to everyone: including those we work with, work for, and who work for us."
Well said.
Indeed we live in a culture where we falsely believe the playing field is level and we are all equals or peers. I don't think this is consistent with what the scriptures teach. Romans 12:10 reminds us to "honor one another above ourselves". I Timothy 5:3 tells us to honor widows, honor elders (vs 17), honor the elderly (Lev. 19:32) and we are told to honor our parents (Eph. 6:1-3).
Is dishonor rampant in society? What do you think?
Molloy goes on to say, "the way in which we speak about, or act around another person testifies of whether or not we honor them. I believe that honor should be given to everyone: including those we work with, work for, and who work for us."
Well said.
Indeed we live in a culture where we falsely believe the playing field is level and we are all equals or peers. I don't think this is consistent with what the scriptures teach. Romans 12:10 reminds us to "honor one another above ourselves". I Timothy 5:3 tells us to honor widows, honor elders (vs 17), honor the elderly (Lev. 19:32) and we are told to honor our parents (Eph. 6:1-3).
Is dishonor rampant in society? What do you think?
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Burnout--The gift that keeps on giving
I remember reading a periodical on burnout within the first few months of ministry some 28 years ago. Burnout was a hot new topic back then and was starting to show up among clergy in increasing numbers.
It was several years later when I encountered it personally. I was fortunate that it was caught in time before any lasting effects were realized. It was enough of an experience or close call that it did teach some lessons.
Burnout is something that can be avoided, here are a few things that may help to avoid it or in some cases assist in recovery:
1. Control your commitments each day
It is essential during the day to have alone time to refuel and refresh.
Back to back commitments, phone calls and meetings can be very wearing.
Schedule in unscheduled, uncommitted time each day.
2. Control Technology
Sometimes it is necessary to give yourself a break from technology. Some have done this by taking lengthy breaks from Tweeting or Facebook. Others limit the use of their smart phones and set parameters around when they will respond, when it will be off or on and have simply dialed back on availability. Face it, even Jesus withdrew from the crowds. It is just using wisdom to know we have limitations and live within them. There is nothing wrong with saying,"these are my office hours, please contact me during them. "
If someone has made the effort to stop in to your office to see you or go for lunch or coffee, it is simply rude to take a call with them sitting there. It reduces stress if we deal with one topic and one person at a time.
Another thing that may help is to not have call waiting. Something about it shoots my blood pressure up when I am engaged in a conversation and someone feels the need to call me three times in 2 minutes and interrupt the call with their never ending beeps. I don't know what the rule book says about putting someone on hold in the middle of a conversation but it likely says it is rude.
Another tip, is this, if you are going to lug a laptop home after a full days work to do even more work, you need to get a life. You really ought to be investing that time in fun, recreation, relaxation, family or friendship.
3. Control your workload
It is essential to be able to control how much work you take on. The ability to say "no" to a boss or a colleague and a firm but pleasant explanation as to why you cannot take on more work will keep you healthy and sane.
One of the most dangerous places we can find ourselves is being in the place where we have no control over how much work we take on as we enable others around us to do less.
4. Keep the Sabbath or keep a Sabbath--doesn't need an explanation
5. Listen
If you hear your spouse, children, parents, friends or acquaintances using phrases such as:
Are you okay?
I am worried about you.
When is the last time you took a day off, a holiday?
You never have time for us.
What do you do beside work?
If you hear these things consider them the voice of God. He is using people to get your attention. Listen, ask questions like, "What are you observing about me? or Do I seem stressed? Why are you concerned? What makes you say that?"
If you do these things it is likely that in a matter of a few short days you will feel happier, rested and much more at ease.
If we are going to survive or thrive in this technologically charged fast paced world we need to continue to practice the discipline of taking back control and establishing boundaries and limits to live within.
It was several years later when I encountered it personally. I was fortunate that it was caught in time before any lasting effects were realized. It was enough of an experience or close call that it did teach some lessons.
Burnout is something that can be avoided, here are a few things that may help to avoid it or in some cases assist in recovery:
1. Control your commitments each day
It is essential during the day to have alone time to refuel and refresh.
Back to back commitments, phone calls and meetings can be very wearing.
Schedule in unscheduled, uncommitted time each day.
2. Control Technology
Sometimes it is necessary to give yourself a break from technology. Some have done this by taking lengthy breaks from Tweeting or Facebook. Others limit the use of their smart phones and set parameters around when they will respond, when it will be off or on and have simply dialed back on availability. Face it, even Jesus withdrew from the crowds. It is just using wisdom to know we have limitations and live within them. There is nothing wrong with saying,"these are my office hours, please contact me during them. "
If someone has made the effort to stop in to your office to see you or go for lunch or coffee, it is simply rude to take a call with them sitting there. It reduces stress if we deal with one topic and one person at a time.
Another thing that may help is to not have call waiting. Something about it shoots my blood pressure up when I am engaged in a conversation and someone feels the need to call me three times in 2 minutes and interrupt the call with their never ending beeps. I don't know what the rule book says about putting someone on hold in the middle of a conversation but it likely says it is rude.
Another tip, is this, if you are going to lug a laptop home after a full days work to do even more work, you need to get a life. You really ought to be investing that time in fun, recreation, relaxation, family or friendship.
3. Control your workload
It is essential to be able to control how much work you take on. The ability to say "no" to a boss or a colleague and a firm but pleasant explanation as to why you cannot take on more work will keep you healthy and sane.
One of the most dangerous places we can find ourselves is being in the place where we have no control over how much work we take on as we enable others around us to do less.
4. Keep the Sabbath or keep a Sabbath--doesn't need an explanation
5. Listen
If you hear your spouse, children, parents, friends or acquaintances using phrases such as:
Are you okay?
I am worried about you.
When is the last time you took a day off, a holiday?
You never have time for us.
What do you do beside work?
If you hear these things consider them the voice of God. He is using people to get your attention. Listen, ask questions like, "What are you observing about me? or Do I seem stressed? Why are you concerned? What makes you say that?"
If you do these things it is likely that in a matter of a few short days you will feel happier, rested and much more at ease.
If we are going to survive or thrive in this technologically charged fast paced world we need to continue to practice the discipline of taking back control and establishing boundaries and limits to live within.
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