Most Pastors are looking for balance. We want to balance ministry and family. We want to balance our preaching between evangelistic sermons and discipleship sermons. We want to balance our study time with time for staff.
Here's where I think the problem lies: We look for balance in too small of a time period. We want each day to be balanced and when it's not we beat ourselves up. What I'm learning is to view balance not from day to day, but from season to season. How balanced have I been this month? If I'm out of whack, then I need to make adjustments for next month. The beauty of having a preaching calendar that you plan in advance is you get to look at your year and say, "Where am I being too light? What do I need to emphasize more?"
For too long I sought balance in one 24-hour period. Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way. Ministry flows in seasons. So I just go with it.
great post Bob. thx!
Posted by: Scott Hodge | Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Just read a great book on balance. It is called, 'The Rest of God' by Mark Buchanan. It is all about building a sabbath into our lives. We are taking our entire team through it.
Posted by: Scott Gaglardi | Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Bob,
It's stuff like this that makes you such a valuable addition to the blogosphere. Thanks!
Posted by: paul | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Great reminder Bob! As a guy who had struggled to find balance for almost two decades, I've given up!
OK, I've given up on the word 'balance.' I read a Fast Company article about 12 years ago (back when it was a pretty new magazine) and it challenged me to replace the word 'balance' with the word:
HARMONY
That's really helped me. I'm no longer looking for 'balance' instead, I'm seeking 'harmony.'
And, now that I'm fully dedicated to the sabbath, time management and planning my calendar months in advance (preaching calendar and personal growth plan) I tend to acheive 'harmony' more times than not!
You are exactly right, the key is to view it over a longer term instead of day to day.
Great post!
Nelson
P.S. I just started blogging and I owe a lot to your inspiration! Thank you (I think! - your readers can judge for themselves at:
www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/blog )
Posted by: Nelson Searcy | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 02:00 PM