Episode 152 - The PASTOR LIFE: How Are You Handling the Basics?

We know this episode will be both challenging and encouraging to you as a small church pastor. The ten items below represent the notes we wrote, and then followed, as we recorded episode 152!

1. Sleep Someone today said “just get up earlier to find more time” – they never talked about getting to sleep earlier the night before!
 
2. Physical Activity Does regular exercise really improve a person’s overall energy level? (the answer really is - YES!)  Why don’t we do it more?
 
3. Soul care – food for the soul
            Prayer
            Scripture meditation
            Private worship
 
4. A Prioritized Schedule
            Who comes first?
            What comes first?
Is there health? (balance in your schedule between work, rest, exercise, travel, family, fun, adventure, continuing education, service, etc.)
 
5. Personal Relationships
            Friends? (because they always come last!)
            Frustration releases
            Honest feedback
            Unconditional acceptance
            No need to self-censor
 
6. Peaceful places (an organized office, home, shed, yard, vehicle, etc.) places to go for retreat.
 
7. Acceptable expectations
            Is your husband or wife, are your kids or grandkids, are your neighbors, is your board, or are your church members… etc. expecting too much from you? Do you know what each of those groups expects?
 
8. Openness and honesty in your church leadership
            Can you truly talk with your board members? Will they tell you the truth? Do you tell them the truth?
 
9. How’s your pastoral attitude
            Are you practicing love, forgiveness, listening, understanding, etc.? Are you getting frustrated, fed up, or exasperated? Do you see light at the end of the tunnel? Are you hopeful that things will continue to improve?
 
10. Food Intake – your diet. (That’s all we’re going to say)
 
If you are struggling in too many of these areas, call your best friend – be open and honest. YOU DO have the time! You don’t have the time NOT TO!

The lies we believe are “we’ll be okay”, “I don’t have time”, and “it’s not that bad.” Things don’t just generally get better without effort. Admit you’re not okay, take the time, define just how bad it is, and seek help, assistance, and encouragement.

Make your life and ministry the best it can be - HEALTHY! What action do you need to take this week?

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Click on Dave's book to the left to buy it on Amazon! This is a very wonderful book on the soul care of the small church pastor. This is a very inexpensive way to pamper yourself this coming year, and take care of your soul.

Trust me and Jonny, you need this book. We would love for you to have the benefit that this book will bring.

And, as always, we get NOT ONE THIN DIME if you buy it. It all goes to put food on Dave's table. 

Experience God beyond that shallow place of spirituality. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Dave's heart.

​Tell him Jeff and Jonny sent you!