{"id":5604,"date":"2012-01-23T16:45:22","date_gmt":"2012-01-23T23:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/iamsignificant.ca\/andre\/?p=5604"},"modified":"2017-09-18T02:07:02","modified_gmt":"2017-09-18T02:07:02","slug":"pastors-take-care-of-yourself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iamsignificant.ca\/andre\/significant-sustenance\/pastors-take-care-of-yourself\/","title":{"rendered":"Pastors: Take Care of Yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to researchers, 72% of a sampling of American pastors report only spending time in the Bible when they had a sermon or lesson to prepare for. \u00a0 This suggests that only 28% read the Bible regularly for personal study and encouragement. \u00a0This isn\u2019t a big surprise to any of us if we are really honest. \u00a0Anyone who has spent anytime leading a Church can attest that the demands for your time are huge. \u00a0The pressures of other people's lives, committees, counseling, Church finances, preparation for Sundays, special services, leading bible studies, meetings (meetings and more meetings!), education, a spouse and family, all contribute to a hyper-paced vocation. \u00a0Just typing it, I feel short of breath!<\/span><\/p>\n

With such a busy life, it can be a challenge to carve out a small amount of personal time. \u00a0But wait!? \u00a0Shouldn\u2019t we treasure that time? Aren't we fed and encouraged? \u00a0Shouldn\u2019t we make it a priority?<\/span><\/p>\n

The short answer is - for sure! \u00a0Spending time in scripture is a marvelous way for us to cultivate our own healthy relationship with Jesus and tend to our own soul care. \u00a0No doubt we encourage the people we minister to \"get in the word, know your Bible.\" \u00a0Why? So they can be refreshed and grow in their faith. Shouldn't we do the same thing? \u00a0This is all good stuff, but I often think \u00a0as pastors, we think, we are in the \u201cbusiness\u201d of the Bible, and sometimes, even the best of us fall into the malaise of rationalizing that we have done enough God stuff; preach, teach, pray, worship as a part of the job, why do we need to do more? \u00a0Multitasking if you will<\/span>!<\/p>\n

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For me, I need to spend time in the word because while I spend the majority of time doing Kingdom things and some of them very well, these are generally for other people, and it is easy to get in a giving mode while neglecting to care for my own need for spiritual nurture and care.<\/span><\/p>\n

A secular example - As a hobby, I like to fly stunt kites. \u00a0As life progressed, we found ourselves running a successful family business retailing kites online. \u00a0A funny thing started to happen. \u00a0 As the company grew and prospered, I discovered I had less time to fly kites. \u00a0 I was so busy in the business of kites; I hardly had time to fly them! \u00a0I think this is a danger for many folks, especially those of us in vocational ministry. \u00a0 We often end up sacrificing the very reason why we responded to our call to ministry - our personal relationship with God.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sadly, this a slow slide into burnout<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span>!\u00a0 It is so easy to do.\u00a0 After all, we are doing God things all the time!\u00a0 We have a mission, and there is no shortage of need and our BIG hearts responding to the many needs, we soon realize we can\u2019t possibly do it all, but that doesn\u2019t keep us from trying!\u00a0 The next thing we know, we are letting our spiritual disciplines, quiet time, personal devotions time slip away.\u00a0 We let go of the personal times of refreshing and recharging, in a sense we become strangely removed from our source, the inspiration for our call of ministry.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have mentored<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span> several dynamic and talented leaders, and I challenge them not to sacrifice t\"\"<\/a>he very things that created the conditions for their success on the altar of success itself<\/strong>.\u00a0 It was the personal time with God, prayer, feasting on scripture, the beauty, and intimacy of that relationship in which you were able to serve and find life in it!\u00a0 Protect that time at all costs for what does it gain a man to have a huge ministry and lose his own soul!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus said there will always be needs, more than we can meet.\u00a0 If we truly want to help the most people, reach the most people, this demands that we take care of ourselves. By doing so, you dramatically reduce the likelihood of burnout.\u00a0 Research has illustrated that many pastors experience burnout in the first five years of ministry<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span>, but by taking care and tending to your personal soul needs with healthy boundaries and practices, you will find a vitality and fruitfulness in ministry that can be experienced well on to retirement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Simple things, foundational things like regular time in the word, in personal prayer, retreat, family time and time for other hobbies can go a long way to a balanced - healthy life and ministry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take Away<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n