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Maintaining BALANCE in Ministry

By Victor Parachin

To continue to minister effectively, clergy must learn to take care of themselves. If they don't replenish themselves, they may be tempted to give out and give up.

The story is told that church board minutes contained this entry: "Deacon Hunt moved and Deacon Hicks seconded that we hire Reverend Johnson as our next pastor. He is musically trained and has a history of youth work. What this church needs is a better music program and someone who works well with youth."

Two years later this entry appeared in the minutes: "Deacon Hicks moved and Deacon Hunt seconded that we fire Reverend Johnson. All we do in worship is sing and listen to the choir. Pastor Johnson spends too much time with the youth and has neglected his calling to the elderly."

This story illustrates the pressures that many of today’s clergy experience. Church members declare their admiration, yet sometimes deliver admonition. Ministers receive praise, but also criticism. A Sunday sermon can elicit two anonymous letters in the same week—one correcting the minister’s grammar; the other containing money for a family need. As a result of such divergent perceptions and responses to ministry, pastors can experience stress, strain, a feeling of isolation and frustration, as well as lose their sense of perception.

To continue to minister effectively, clergy must learn to take care of themselves. A healthy mind and a healthy spirit living in a healthy body should be every minister’s objective. Here are some steps toward achieving that goal and maintaining balance in ministry.

ROUTINELY REPLENISH YOUR RESERVES

"No minister can give, give, and give without receiving," writes Robert D. Dale, author of Pastoral Leadership. "If we don’t replenish ourselves, we may be tempted to give out and give up. Ministers need the support of encouraging relationships and accessible resources for replenishment."

To avoid ministry burnout, tap into these seven resources and relationships that can replenish ministry reserves:

1. Personal devotional disciplines.
2. Encouragement from spouses and family members.
3. Consultation and counseling with denominational leaders.
4. Denominational resources such as written and audiovisual materials.
5. Local congregational resources. Budget educational expenses and vacation periods.
6. Peer support.
7. Nurture and guidance from helping professionals such as educators, doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, and counselors.

EXERCISE REGULARLY

In his book, The Effective Pastor: A Guide to Successful Ministry, Louis W. Bloede, professor of parish ministries and director of ministerial studies emeritus at Iliff School of Theology, Denver, Colorado, writes about a new United Methodist bishop assigned to his area. "The geographical area served by this bishop includes Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Montana," Dr. Bloede notes. Knowing the new bishop would be extremely busy, Dr. Bloede wondered how the bishop would survive the demanding schedule. Shortly after the bishop was installed, Dr. Bloede described this encounter: "I stopped by the YMCA where I try to swim several times a week. Whom should I meet in the lobby but our bishop, along with a Denver pastor. Both were attired in appropriate garb, and with equipment in hand, were ready to play a game of racquetball." Because the bishop knew the importance of exercise, Dr. Bloede says, "I was reassured. Our bishop will not only survive but excel."

Studies show conclusively that many stresses of daily life can be dissolved through regular exercise. Both job performance and satisfaction are heightened when the body is strong and capable. The clergy who are not in the habit of routinely exercising should consider walking, jogging, or biking. Paul wrote: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own…. Therefore honor God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19,20, NIV).

INSPIRE YOURSELF

Pray daily. "Prayer is the most important thing in my life. If I should neglect prayer for a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith," declared Martin Luther. Do not assume that sermon and worship preparation is simultaneously developing and deepening your faith. While that may happen, a pastor’s interior life is fully developed only when serious attention is given to personal prayer, meditation, and reflection.

While spending time in prayer, be guided by this wisdom from the 17th century Francois Fenelon: "Talk to Him in prayer of all your wants, your troubles, even on the weariness you feel in serving Him. You cannot speak too freely, too trustfully to Him."

One who discovered the power of personal prayer to revitalize ministry was John Sutherland Bonnell, pastor of New York’s Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Bonnell describes how ministry at his large, New York City church involved traveling by subway and bus. He disliked the crowded transportation system. The screaming wheels on the rails when the subway train rounded a curve and the general noise and confusion grated on his soul like sandpaper. One day he noticed that his hand, holding the strap in the center of a swaying subway car, was lifted up in an attitude of prayer. The thought came to him that many in the crowd on the subway found life pressing hard on them. How can I better employ my time than in praying for them and myself? he thought. Bonnell says from that moment all anxiety and frustration of riding the subway disappeared. Specifically, he prayed that he might receive the gift of God’s peace and carry it to the sick people he would soon be visiting. Bonnell says he sometimes came up out of the subway with such a deep peace and inner stillness that one might normally only associate with prayer in a quiet sanctuary.

BECOME AN EXPERT IN ONE AREA

Focus on one area where you can excel. Your self-esteem is enhanced and your self-confidence deepened when you become highly competent in one field. Establish expertise in such activities as:

• freelance writing and editing.
• coaching community youth.
• delivering motivational speeches.
• enhancing community resources by facilitating support groups for the terminally ill, the addicted, and the bereaved.
• providing leadership in local clergy associations.
• becoming your area denominational resource on Christian education, worship, music, computers, and social justice.
• conducting periodic evangelistic meetings.

TEND TO YOUR FAMILY

Have your priorities established clearly: God, family, ministry. Date your spouse periodically. Set aside a night exclusively for family. Attend your children’s school meetings, concerts, plays, athletic events, as often as possible.

"The work of the minister is important, but not more important than the minister’s family," writes Dr. Bloede. "The minister needs to be with the family at important times in their lives. It is legitimate to schedule time with your spouse or family. Write it in your personal appointment book and tell the committee chairperson who wants to schedule a special meeting, ‘Sorry, I’ve got a prior commitment I cannot break.’ You might even suggest that the committee meet without you. It took me several years in the parish ministry before I accepted that fact and convinced the congregation that I did not need to be present at every meeting. That means the pastor gives up some authority and shares some power. But think of it as a vote of confidence in the laity. It is their church, as well as your church."

CULTIVATE THE FINE ART OF SAYING NO

"There is no way you can do everything you will be asked to do as a pastor, Christian educator, church business administrator, church musician, or youth worker. Learn to say no—and say it," writes Steve Clapp in his book, Positioning Ministry for Success. Remind yourself you do not have to perform every wedding and funeral, nor do you have to accept every speaking invitation extended to you.

TAKE TIME TO APPRECIATE THE JOURNEY

Robert Cueni, author of What Ministers Can’t Learn in Seminary, observes that much of life’s satisfactions come from pursuing rather than attaining goals. "Pastors frequently find themselves serving churches in communities far from the nation’s cultural centers. Even the most isolated community, however, offers certain lessons and experiences. Do not wish away your life and ministry, but enjoy these as part of your journey. Experiences teach us that the next place will not differ greatly from the present one," Cueni writes.

Victor M. Parachin, M.Div., is a minister who lives in Claremont, California

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