Avoiding Burnout

Burnout seems to be a very popular subject related to Clergy these days.  We've taken an article from our most recent Pastor's Weekly Briefing which lays out some observations about burnout, and how to avoid it. 

The shorter days and frigid temperatures can find you feeling a bit lethargic — especially those living in colder climates. As a result, burnout often occurs.

Why are you feeling burned out? After all, the kids are back in school, the holiday hustle and bustle is over and everybody's back to work! But recovery from that holiday rush can leave people feeling drained of energy.

To recover from burnout, motivational speaker Snowden McFall, author of Fired Up, offers her clients these five tips, as reported by foxnews.com:

1) Take a vacation. McFall states that "twenty-six percent of Americans never take a vacation ... and studies show that women who take two weeks of vacation each year can cut their chances of having a heart attack by 50 percent."

2) Laugh. "It's been shown to boost the immune system," says McFall. Toddlers laugh several hundred times a day, but the average adult laughs just four times, she adds.

3) Give back. "When you volunteer to feed people who are starving or stop off at a homeless shelter on your way home from work, it can really put things into perspective and make you think about how well-off you are. And you feel better when you help nurture other people."

4) Deep breathing, meditation. Taking a break and looking inward helps people both mentally and physically, McFall said. "It increases your circulation," she said. Deep breathing also increases your circulation, cuts the duration of hospital stays and leads to fewer business errors.

5) Exercise. "Sixty percent of Americans do not get enough exercise to keep their immune system functioning properly," McFall said.

If this subject peaks further interest, we have an edition of Pastor to Pastor dealing with the subject of burnout.

The interviews can be accessed at  http://www.parsonage.org/p2p/A000001454.cfm for either download of a specific guest or the entire edition.  Or you may order a hard copy of the CD from same site. 

Do You Have a Dream?

Martin Luther King Jr. is an American hero. He would have been 79. Yesterday, the nation paused to remember his contribution to our society and his sacrificial effort for equality among all men. Though we have not come as far as he might have wished, the efforts of Dr. King have not been in vain.

Each year the media plays over and over the "I Have a Dream" speech delivered by Dr. King. It stirs me every time I hear it. Why? Because of the simple concept that all of us need a dream. We need to reach beyond our grasp and trust God for that which might seem impossible.

I learned a long time ago that "the dream never dies, just the dreamer." You stop dreaming and settle for things as they are and soon your ministry will become mundane and ordinary.

What is your dream? Can you articulate it? Have you written it down? Have you shared it with those you trust? Dreams many times parallel our faith.

In Genesis 37:19, there is a simple but profound verse related to Joseph and the brothers who hated him. "Here comes the dreamer," they said, "Let's slay the dreamer, and then see what happens to his dream." Much of the world, and especially the evil one, would be delighted if you would give up on your dream. Don't do it! Embrace it and live it.

If you ever need us, call our toll-free Pastoral Care Line at (877) 233-4455 or write to us at pastors@family.org. And we are always available through our Web site at www.parsonage.org.

What is your dream?  Why not share it here .. we would love to partner with you in your hope for it's fruition. 

Have a great week.

Politics And The Pulpit

This past weekend, the news reported that Mike Huckabee (who is an ordained minister) met with a group of pastors in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area. Sunday, he preached in a church telling the congregation his views on same-sex marriage and abortion.

I remember a few years ago when Willow Creek invited President Clinton to speak at their pastors' conference. It caused a big stir among many — both at the conference and across the country.

For years, in the African-American community, black churches have used their pulpits to entertain political candidates. But it seems this year that Barack Obama and most of the presidential candidates are courting the church and those who are "values voters" to energize their campaigns.

What do you think about politics and the pulpit? Would you have a candidate fill your pulpit on a weekend? Do you think that those candidates who do use the church for political gain are simply being opportunistic?

As we face the primaries over the next week or so, the church will continue to be in play. In the New York Times yesterday there was a piece by David Kirkpatrick that said, "Mr. Huckabee is the only candidate in the presidential race who identifies himself as an evangelical." He goes on to say, "His (Huckabee's) candidacy is threatening to drive a wedge into the movement (evangelical)." He appears correct — though Jim Dobson and Tony Perkins seem uncommitted to date — Pat Robertson is for Rudy Giuliani; Gary Bauer for Fred Thompson; and Paul Weyrich for Mitt Romney. Who among the nation's religious leaders is for Mike Huckabee?

If there is that much differing opinion among the nation's evangelical leaders, imagine what it is like in your local congregation.

With regard to your own pulpit practices, we understand that, as a 501(c)3 organization, you can address issues from the pulpit, but may not endorse specific candidates as a representative of your church. You really need to be careful. Please check our Web site at http://www.parsonage.org/faq/A000000543.cfm for more specifics on politics and the pulpit.

So, who will you be voting for? Why not comment here and tell us your thoughts.  Have a great week!

So - What Happened In New Hampshire?

I was amazed at the results of yesterday's presidential primary in New Hampshire. Were you? To be honest, I was surprised and a bit disappointed.

The polls had it pretty much right for the Republicans, but they missed it badly on the Democrats. In fact, I think the pundit that came closest to being right was Chris Wallace.

What do you think happened? Do you think Senator Clinton's near meltdown the day before the vote had anything to do with it, or because she carried a huge portion of the female vote?

Needless to say, she is now the comeback kid. In fact, I understand she more than equaled her husband's "comeback" of nearly 16 years ago.

Now the race for the White House seems wide open. Especially if Romney takes Michigan and Huckabee takes South Carolina — and Obama and Clinton swap states in Michigan and South Carolina. 

If you had to guess who each party's nominee will be, who would you say? I know politics are unpredicatable, but what would be your "guess"? Please let me know. 

A few weeks ago in response to our Pastor's Weekly Briefing column hundreds of you responded to our ethics question and your input was really helpful to us.

So — thanks for your time — and don't forget to encourage your people to register to vote and then vote.

HBL

The Beginning of a New Beginning

January for me is always a time of introspection. 

Amazing isn't it, how a turn of the calendar page is met with such optimism and new opportunity? Jan. 1 is just another day yet such a significant one. 

The first Sunday in January is coming up this weekend.  Why not set a course for those you lead that is positive, upbeat and filled with promise.

First, though, set a course for your personal ministry. Let me, from my own experience, share some thoughts with you:

1. Identify where you failed in 2007.  Take a moment to reflect on why you failed, and what God taught you, then shake it off and go forward.
2. Consider where you succeeded in 2007. Take a moment to reflect on why you succeeded, then shake it off and go forward. Do not let pride or arrogance follow you into the new year.
3. Develop a good habit. It will take at least 30 days for a new behavior to become a habit. One new habit I would suggest is getting up 30 minutes earlier and filling the time with worship, study and thanksgiving.
4. Become a mentor, and/or find one for yourself.
5. Pick at least six books you wanted to read last year but never did. Start reading one today.
6. Look at yourself in the mirror and say, "I am God's creation. I am beautifully and wonderfully made. In His providence God called me into His world as a shepherd of the flock, a spouse and a parent. I will be faithful to that call. I will not allow defeat or criticism to destroy my passion for ministry. I will attempt to prove myself faithful each day of 2006 .. and if I fail, I will call on God for help and do better the next day."

I believe in you, my colleague! May 2008 be filled with the kind of serendipity only God can bring into your life.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:19)