Maintaining Joy In Ministry
One of the reasons I didn't want to be a preacher was that I didn't see many happy ones! I know that's an exaggeration but at that time, that's what I felt. After a few years in full time ministry, I began to understand that there is a challenge to maintaining joy in the midst of ministry. People who have never served in full time service ministry to people don't have any idea what happens when you serve in ministry 24/7, 365 days a year. Then, I read the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote, "rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice"! The real earth shaker here is that he wrote it while he was in prison!
Nehemiah writes "the joy of the Lord is your strength". If that is true, a person without joy is a person without power. Let me share 10 things that have helped me get back on the horse after being thrown off!
1. Understand that joy comes from the Lord and our finding pleasure in Him.
2. Joy is found in doing God's will. Knowing you are serving in the will of God makes all situations bearable, and in time enjoyable.
3. Joy follows "bringing the Kingdom". Rom. 14:17; Acts 8:1-8
4. Focus on Kingdom Fruit, not only outward results. - Acts 15:3
5. Don't take it personally! - Acts 13: 50-52
6. Selflessness promotes joy - Acts 20:24
7. Seek to be a contagious joy extender! - 2 Cor. 7:13
8. Remain focused on the Kingdom destination - Heb. 12:2
9. Stay filled with the Holy Spirit - Gal. 5:22
10. Don't complain! - David said in Psalm 77:3, "I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed".
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Life At It's Best!
Just in case you were wondering what I am really doing on my Sabbatical, here's a clue!"nuff said"!!!!
Blessings!
L. A.
PS- This is Lucia Terese at 5 months.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Sabbatical
As you read this today, I am on Sabbatical! What is the world is a sabbatical? Webster defines it as, "any extended period of leave from one's customary work, esp. for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc." I am taking 6 weeks during the slower pace of summer to try to do just this. Actually, I took my first sabbatical 6 1/2 years ago for 4 weeks. At that time I was having some serious health issues that needed to be addressed. I had just been told that I needed coronary bypass surgery. I took that time to fast, pray, eat healthier and exercise. It was an amazing time. As I was taking some radical health steps, I saw change in about 3 weeks. After about 21 days my blood pressure and blood sugar dropped into the normal range from pretty high and unhealthy levels. What did it? Of course God! However, I would not be honest if I simply left it at that. God worked with my efforts of obedience.
I think one of the most important things that happened at that time was getting my stress levels down to a normal place. This might not apply to some of you but as a type "A"(+) personallity, my stress levels will rise, rise, and rise some more until it gets out of control. Pace seems to be something I find very difficult to do. I will get to the point that even when I could rest because I have an afternoon open, I can't relax. That a sure sign something is wrong and left unchecked will result in serious emotional or physical sickness and usually both. The older I get the more I see that I have been paying the price through the year but thought I was getting away with it.
Let me encourage you to reevaluate your life and lifestyle. Men especially are bad about this. Men get their fulfillment from working and being the answer for everyone else. It's a killer and out of control, it's deadly. I'm taking 6 weeks after 34 years of full time ministry. You may not be able to do that. There are things you can do. Learn to pace your life. Pull in the reins on your life and live within a discipline more structured lifestyle. Set schedules and live within those schedules. It's not wrong to require that others fit into your schedule. You will both be better for it. Take time for you. If you take some time to do what you like to do(other than work), it will release you to be better at serving others. Get plenty of rest. Rest is as important as diet. Both are critical to longevity. The big thing is to recognize the problem and make it a priority!
As you read this today, I am on Sabbatical! What is the world is a sabbatical? Webster defines it as, "any extended period of leave from one's customary work, esp. for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc." I am taking 6 weeks during the slower pace of summer to try to do just this. Actually, I took my first sabbatical 6 1/2 years ago for 4 weeks. At that time I was having some serious health issues that needed to be addressed. I had just been told that I needed coronary bypass surgery. I took that time to fast, pray, eat healthier and exercise. It was an amazing time. As I was taking some radical health steps, I saw change in about 3 weeks. After about 21 days my blood pressure and blood sugar dropped into the normal range from pretty high and unhealthy levels. What did it? Of course God! However, I would not be honest if I simply left it at that. God worked with my efforts of obedience.
I think one of the most important things that happened at that time was getting my stress levels down to a normal place. This might not apply to some of you but as a type "A"(+) personallity, my stress levels will rise, rise, and rise some more until it gets out of control. Pace seems to be something I find very difficult to do. I will get to the point that even when I could rest because I have an afternoon open, I can't relax. That a sure sign something is wrong and left unchecked will result in serious emotional or physical sickness and usually both. The older I get the more I see that I have been paying the price through the year but thought I was getting away with it.
Let me encourage you to reevaluate your life and lifestyle. Men especially are bad about this. Men get their fulfillment from working and being the answer for everyone else. It's a killer and out of control, it's deadly. I'm taking 6 weeks after 34 years of full time ministry. You may not be able to do that. There are things you can do. Learn to pace your life. Pull in the reins on your life and live within a discipline more structured lifestyle. Set schedules and live within those schedules. It's not wrong to require that others fit into your schedule. You will both be better for it. Take time for you. If you take some time to do what you like to do(other than work), it will release you to be better at serving others. Get plenty of rest. Rest is as important as diet. Both are critical to longevity. The big thing is to recognize the problem and make it a priority!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Leadership Presence
I heard a father say something once that impacted me as a leader. He was talking about his rather strong-willed sons. He said, "I'm not called to be their friend, I'm called to be their Father". I know, I know, that sounds so negative. We want to be their friend too, right? I think it is possible to be a friend but not at the expense of being what they really need, and that is a leader.
Leadership has been called a "lonely place". It is a lonely place because to be a leader requires one to step out of the shadows of the crowd. It makes us a target and the object of other's frustration many times. However, leaders have to understand that while they may want to be "one of the boys", it may not be possible. This is a part of the price of leadership! I believe we need to count the cost before we accept the call to lead but once we have made the choice of obedience, lead we must.
I am not promoting the "old school" philosophy that you cannot be friends with those you lead. I believe you can. You won't have to draw a line of separation to maintain your authority. I can't imagine Jesus doing that. However, his having to take stands, correcting and assigning responsibility, drew the line for Him. Don't be afraid to lead. Don't cower back from correcting, assigning roles/jobs to others, training leaders, and yes loving as a leader. It is this kind of leadership that establishes the parameters for those you lead. It creates an atmosphere of safety and peace. A poor leader or a weak leader is so consummed with self love and wanting to be liked that he just can't bring himself to a place of true leadership. If you are called to lead, go ahead and step out in faith and assume the role for which the Lord is waiting to anoint and empower. This kind of leadership requires the best from those you lead. It lets them know when they are to be on the job, when they are to leave and what they should be doing while there. Of course, the best way to set the pattern is to live it yourself so all can see.
Your primary goal in leadership is not to build this fun place where everyone likes you. Your primary goal is to be a caring leader who is committed to being your best and causing those you lead to rise to becoming their best!
I heard a father say something once that impacted me as a leader. He was talking about his rather strong-willed sons. He said, "I'm not called to be their friend, I'm called to be their Father". I know, I know, that sounds so negative. We want to be their friend too, right? I think it is possible to be a friend but not at the expense of being what they really need, and that is a leader.
Leadership has been called a "lonely place". It is a lonely place because to be a leader requires one to step out of the shadows of the crowd. It makes us a target and the object of other's frustration many times. However, leaders have to understand that while they may want to be "one of the boys", it may not be possible. This is a part of the price of leadership! I believe we need to count the cost before we accept the call to lead but once we have made the choice of obedience, lead we must.
I am not promoting the "old school" philosophy that you cannot be friends with those you lead. I believe you can. You won't have to draw a line of separation to maintain your authority. I can't imagine Jesus doing that. However, his having to take stands, correcting and assigning responsibility, drew the line for Him. Don't be afraid to lead. Don't cower back from correcting, assigning roles/jobs to others, training leaders, and yes loving as a leader. It is this kind of leadership that establishes the parameters for those you lead. It creates an atmosphere of safety and peace. A poor leader or a weak leader is so consummed with self love and wanting to be liked that he just can't bring himself to a place of true leadership. If you are called to lead, go ahead and step out in faith and assume the role for which the Lord is waiting to anoint and empower. This kind of leadership requires the best from those you lead. It lets them know when they are to be on the job, when they are to leave and what they should be doing while there. Of course, the best way to set the pattern is to live it yourself so all can see.
Your primary goal in leadership is not to build this fun place where everyone likes you. Your primary goal is to be a caring leader who is committed to being your best and causing those you lead to rise to becoming their best!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Saving Private Ryan
I just finished watching "Saving Private Ryan" again for the "umteenth" time. My wife was out of town so I watched it alone. She was never really very fond of it. Yes, I think I cried more than ever while watching the now old man fall at the grave of the Captain who died saving the Private. Sixty years earlier, while watching this Captain die on the field of battle, Ryan had to endure hearing the last words of the dying officer say, "earn this". Today, few know the real cost of freedom or the blood that was shed securing it. It's a difficult thing to have to endure listening to someone, without a clue, speaking against the process of democracy. It's a delicate thing this democracy and not without it's problems. Yet, generation after generation, we have those arise who are the cynics of that day. Cynics are "fault finders". They don't have answers nor the courage to pay a price for change but they continue to spew forth the cheap words of protest. There are times when it would appear that each generation is going the way of the cynic. However, by the grace of God, when each generation faces it's hour of crisis and is confronted by it's own challenge of tyranny, the heros arise. From the cities to the farmlands they begin to march toward their own potential demise for the sake of the common good. Again and again they make decisions that often go against reason in order to seek to ensure that the next generation has the right to protest or to serve based upon their own internal motivation.
We have the same problem in the church world. So many see only the problems of the church and yes here too, we have those with all the answers but no stomach to work for the cure. Will we continue to see those arise, generation after generation who will hear the Call and sacrifice for the Mission? I know we will. I choose to believe that and not hear the cynics. When all is said and done and the voices of the nay sayers are silenced, I only want to know that my Lord will say to me, "well done thou good and faithful servant".
I just finished watching "Saving Private Ryan" again for the "umteenth" time. My wife was out of town so I watched it alone. She was never really very fond of it. Yes, I think I cried more than ever while watching the now old man fall at the grave of the Captain who died saving the Private. Sixty years earlier, while watching this Captain die on the field of battle, Ryan had to endure hearing the last words of the dying officer say, "earn this". Today, few know the real cost of freedom or the blood that was shed securing it. It's a difficult thing to have to endure listening to someone, without a clue, speaking against the process of democracy. It's a delicate thing this democracy and not without it's problems. Yet, generation after generation, we have those arise who are the cynics of that day. Cynics are "fault finders". They don't have answers nor the courage to pay a price for change but they continue to spew forth the cheap words of protest. There are times when it would appear that each generation is going the way of the cynic. However, by the grace of God, when each generation faces it's hour of crisis and is confronted by it's own challenge of tyranny, the heros arise. From the cities to the farmlands they begin to march toward their own potential demise for the sake of the common good. Again and again they make decisions that often go against reason in order to seek to ensure that the next generation has the right to protest or to serve based upon their own internal motivation.
We have the same problem in the church world. So many see only the problems of the church and yes here too, we have those with all the answers but no stomach to work for the cure. Will we continue to see those arise, generation after generation who will hear the Call and sacrifice for the Mission? I know we will. I choose to believe that and not hear the cynics. When all is said and done and the voices of the nay sayers are silenced, I only want to know that my Lord will say to me, "well done thou good and faithful servant".
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