Family & Ministry, Pt.6

I have been in full time ministry for over 11 years now. I have been an Executive Pastor for 9 years at www.graniteunited.com and now a lead pastor for a little over 2 years at www.thedialoguechurch.com. I LOVE THE MINISTRY OF JESUS! There is nothing like it. In fact, there is nothing like working in the local church, when the local church is working right!

Being in ministry for over a decade now has taught me a few things:

6. TAKE BREAKS AS A FAMILY

Ministry is hard work, nothing is ever easy (not for the mega-churches, not for the little churches, and not for the medium sized churches). When you do ministry together as a family you are engaging in the greatest work this side of eternity, but it can be draining. So, TAKE A BREAK, NOT FROM JESUS OR HIS MISSION, BUT FROM YOUR ROUTINE.

• Getting away from the routine is great for developing intimacy with God, family, and self. But you have to schedule that in order to make it happen. You have to plan it with your spouse and around your kids vacations.
• It doesn’t have to be anything fancy (at least not all the time) – just go on a trip, take a day-cation (drive to the beach, the mountains, or the city) just to get away and be a family.
• Have fun, don’t schedule any meetings, answer any phone calls, or reply to any emails. Just be a family:)
• And for all of us work-a-holics (just being a family and tuning out from the work-buzz can be difficult). It might take some time getting used to, but it will be so worth it in the long run. You will never regret spending more time with your family!