Rest, Growth, Health: Essentials for Ministry Leaders

 

Rest, Growth, Health

I love being by the water.  Being in such a tranquil place restores my soul like nothing else.  A few weeks ago, our entire church staff retreated to Pennsylvania together to worship, eat, play and reflect upon three specific themes: Rest, Growth, and Health.

In November, each staff member was provided a workbook that would help us reflect on these areas in our personal lives as well as our roles here at church.  Because our church leadership believes that a healthy staff is imperative to a healthy church culture and a healthy church is vital to our effectiveness in our Kingdom work, they provided questions for personal reflection in these five areas of health: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Financial, Vocational.

The exercises and questions were good for me to think through.  As I did my work, I realized two prevalent themes in three of the five areas of health.  The themes were distractions and excuses.  Although I knew I struggle with these areas, it wasn’t until I saw them written on paper several times that I realized they were a common thread running through many of my shortcomings, both personally and professionally.

Another ‘aha’ moment for me was when I asked the question: When do I feel most alive?  My answers:

  • Getting to dream
  • Working on bigger projects (as part of a team and individually)
  • Working on my own projects where I have creative control
  • Creating things

So, in thinking of terms of Rest, Growth, and Health, what does this look like in my life?

REST

I think I do a pretty good job of resting, especially after a busy season.  Sometimes what I struggle with is just resting…not entertaining myself or letting someone or something entertain me.  Sometimes I struggle with simply resting and resisting the urge to be doing something.

Rest for me looks different at different times.  Sometimes I rest alone, catching up on TV shows, reading a good book or magazine, praying and journaling, enjoying a latte from Starbucks, pinning to Pinterest, listening to music or a podcast.  Sometimes I rest with others, spending time with my family, having coffee or lunch with a friend, or shopping.  Sometimes I simply rest by sleeping.

Here are a few resources that speak to the need for rest:

Hidden in Plain Sight by Steve Adams

The Gift of Sabbath by Danielle Bell

GROWTH

In my opinion, we should never stop wanting to grow and expand our knowledge.  It doesn’t matter how old you are – keep growing and learning!

I consider myself a student of kidmin, leadership, and ministry.  I want to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in my field.  I want to lead well.  How do I do that?

  • I read books, magazines, blogs, articles…anything having to do with kidmin and leadership.
  • I connect with other leaders.  I love spending time with people who do what I do.  We have so much to learn from each other.
  • I attend workshops and conferences.  Again, I love connecting with like-minded people but I also need to learn new skills and techniques.
  • I take risks.  Yes, this is scary, but very necessary for growth.  God wants to enlarge your borders!

Here are a few resources that speak to the need for growth:

Great Leaders Grow by Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller

Evaluating Yourself for Growth as a Leader by Orange Leaders

10 Steps to Becoming a Better Children’s Ministry Leader in 2015 by Dale Hudson

HEALTH

An article in the Jan/Feb 2015 issue of Kidzmatter Magazine says, “‘Busy’ is the new ‘Fine’.”  I’m sure you’ve experience that when you ask someone how they’re doing.  The truth is that many of us are not fine.  Life is hard.  Many of us are depleted spiritually.  Many of us are not taking care of our bodies by getting enough rest, eating healthy, exercising and having regular doctor’s appointments.  Many of us deal with anxiety and depression.  Many of us are desperately trying to make ends meet each month.  Many of us are at the end of our ministry rope and are ready to throw in the towel.

Here are a few resources that speak to the need for health:

How Bill Hybels Stays Replenished by Carolyn Burge

Leading On Empty by Wayne Cordeiro

I’d encourage you to download this modified self-evaluation and spend some time honestly evaluating your life.

Join the conversation: What God is teaching you in the areas of Rest, Growth and Health?  Let me know by leaving a comment below.

Flashback Friday: My Favorite Online Reads (Week of January 19, 2015)

This Week’s Favorite Online Reads

Here’s a sampling of some of the online reads I enjoyed this week:

{MINISTRY/LEADERSHIP}

Top 25 Books Every Children’s Ministry Leader Needs to Read by Dale Hudson

5 Practices to Build a Healthy Team Culture by Tru

Volunteer Care & Empowerment (#CPC15 Conference Notes/Resources) by Frank Bealer

Leaving Sunday Behind by Christina Embree

{SOUL CARE}

6 Ways to Control Your Calendar So It Doesn’t Control You by Tim Stevens

One Word That Will Make You a Better Children’s Ministry Leader by Dale Hudson

{FAMILY MINISTRY}

Hope and Help When Home is Broken by Brian Haynes

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I hope you enjoy reading these articles as much as I did.

Did you read something this week that inspired or encouraged you? Share it with me so I might check it out, too!

Finding Joy in the Mundaneness of Ministry

 

Over time, things can become very routine.  We wake up at the same time everyday, brush our teeth (and if you’re like me, you only buy one brand of toothpaste), drink coffee from the same cup, take the same route to work everyday…you get my drift. We don’t even have to think about it – we just do it, sometimes so well, we could do it with our eyes closed.

If you’re in any type of ministry, you very well know that certain aspects of your job can become routine after a while, too.  You know…doing the same things over and over because Sunday (or Wednesday or Friday) is always coming and there are things that need to be done so that ministry can happen.

Some of my responsibilities occur like clockwork.  Here is what is typically found on my to-do list every week:

Sunday:  Game time! All of my weekly prep pays off today!

Monday:  Edit curriculum for upcoming lessons; catch up on email from the weekend; follow-up with notes from Sunday; work on bigger-picture projects; writing

Tuesday:  Email lessons to leaders; handle email; staff prayer; Children’s Ministry staff meeting; return phone calls

Wednesday: Director-Level staff meeting; staff prayer; paperwork

Thursday: Final prep for Sunday; meetings with our family meeting team; staff prayer

Give or take other duties, depending on the time of year, these are almost always on my to-do list.  Do I love my job?  You bet! Can my job tasks become routine? You bet!

“Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” (Colossians 3:17, The Message)

So how can we find joy in the mundaneness of ministry?

1. Recognize that joy is a choice.  Most of us don’t wake up joyful, especially if our day’s to-do list is long.  So you need to choose joy.  Choose to see each day (and its tasks) as a gift from God.  Choose to live joyfully in the calling God has placed on your life.

2. Realize that ministry means hard work.  Ministry doesn’t just happen.  It takes a process of steps to get from point A to point B.  That oftentimes means long hours preparing for ministry to happen and doing tasks that we might not like to do.

3. Shift your lens.  Think about all of the children and families who walk through the doors of your church each week.  Think about the opportunities you have to help them know, love and follow Jesus.

The work order you put in to have your facility cleaned helps families feel their child is in good, safe and sanitary hands.

The copies you make (or have made) will bring the day’s lesson into focus for many children.

The lessons you edit help ensure that the important things are taught.

The craft supplies you shop for and gather will help children will allow them a tangible reminder of God’s love for them.

The ideas you pin on Pinterest help you present God’s Word as creatively as you can so that each child learns in the ways that suit them best.

The time you spend designing a cool graphic for your communications will help draw families to information.

The emails and phone calls you made helps prepare your volunteers and lets them know you are there for them.

The meetings you attend remind you that as a team, you are all working together for the Kingdom of God.

The crumbs you sweep off of the floor reminded you that children love snack time!

The time you spend in prayer helps you remember the reason why you serve.  It’s about Him, not you.

Join the conversation: What helps you find joy in the mundaneness of ministry?

Flashback Friday: My Favorite Online Reads (Week of January 12, 2015)

This Week’s Favorite Online Reads

Here’s a sampling of some of the online reads I enjoyed this week:

{MINISTRY/LEADERSHIP}

10 Questions Children’s Ministry Leaders Should Be Asking by Dale Hudson

4 Sources That Will Spur Your Creativity In Children’s Ministry by Courtney Wilson

It All Comes Down to What You Do Daily by John Maxwell

{ORGANIZATION}

12 Time Management Tips Every Children’s Ministry Leaders Needs to Know by Dale Hudson

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I hope you enjoy reading these articles as much as I did.

Did you read something this week that inspired or encouraged you? Share it with me so I might check it out, too!