I always say it is God First, Family Second, and then the church or ministry!
Why Bonding Is The Best Time
This past month I was able to take a week away in Virginia to spend with my wife, grandson, son, and daughter-in-law. It was much needed and helped me to relax so that I am recharged for the ministry and fellowship.
It is important that you take time to rest as leaders and pastors. Without rest, you cannot be 100 % for those around you when they need you. I read an article recently from Jim Fuller of Pastoral Care and thought it was worth sharing in this newsletter. It will help you get your priorities in order so that you can be renewed to do God’s work. May the Lord give
you the rest and strength you need for the journey ahead!
Blessings
Archbishop Harris E. Clark
Pastors Need Rest By Pastor Jim Fuller (Pastoral Care Ministries)
Pastors absolutely need periodic rest and relaxation. Children love their summer escape from school. Teachers are also enjoying a well-deserved break. Families are off on vacation trips and weekend getaways. Everybody needs occasional rest. Even God rested on the seventh day.
Pastors need rest, too. Periodic rest is vital for mental health. Rest increases our concentration and memory, reduces our stress, and improves our mood. It also contributes to a healthier immune system and to better metabolism.
Why is rest so important for pastors? The work of a pastor is so often full (cluttered?) with things we “have to” do, that it becomes easy to lose sight of the things we are called to do.
Consider Jesus. Jesus was bombarded with demands on His time: People seeking healings, people asking questions, people challenging His authority, and people eager to follow Him. Jesus cared greatly about people; He was a true servant of others. But Jesus always kept focused on His No. 1 priority: to do what God was calling Him to do.
To keep His priorities straight and to maintain sound physical and mental health, Jesus set
boundaries around His time. Consider the time Jesus took a nap during a storm. “When evening came, [Jesus] said to His disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. … A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’
Jesus got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to His disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ (Mark 4:35-40)
Important Ways For Pastors To Rest (continued by Jim Fuller)
Here are some important ways to add rest and relaxation to our busy lives.
1. Take time alone with God each day. When He was tired of people, when his ministry was heavy, before he made big decisions — Jesus took time alone with God. We must stay connected to God through prayer and Scripture. We must add into our lives what is important for the well-being of our souls. There is no right or wrong way to spend time alone with God, but it should not be rushed. It should be intentional, purposeful, and meaningful.
2. Take time connecting with others. We must be intentional about quality time with our spouse, our children, and our close friends or it will never happen. It is so easy for pastors to allow our work for the Lord to keep us from meaningfully connecting with those we love. Is that really what God wants us to do?
3. Take time to take care of yourself. You may find it hard to grant yourself permission to take care of yourself, because your church, your family, and your community need so much from you. But what they need most is for you to be whom God created you to be. God does not want you to be overstressed, worn out, or over-busy. Pastor, remember what Jesus promised. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt 11:28-29)
Date: AUGUST