I have heard it said that nothing is more important in ministry than the life of the minister. I've been reading of late about the minister's life, and like most lives, it is a morass of emotions, dreams, desires and disappointments. Really, the goal of life is life, right. And smack-dab in the middle of life and ministry, stuff happens. Death and taxes, and a review from the district superintendent!
It's all good, but there is another factor - I call it the superman factor. The minister is never to show these facets of humanness to "real" people, except for the occasional (and I mean, occasional) personal sermon illustration. Always smiling, always speaking with "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs," the minister never lets one emotion through the tough pastoral INFP veneer (that was you Myers-Briggs fans!)
So, who do you confess to? To whom do you turn who serves as community to you? I hope you have someone. I pray that you find someone - a trusted counselor, a minister in another community, in another denomination to serve as spiritual director, a soul friend.
At Berachah Leadership Coaching, there are those who can serve as that soul friend. Drop a line at berachahleadership@gmail.com
be blessed!
sp
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Here's another freebie! Free Food!!
8 Simple Ways to Control Stress!
Simple modifications in posture, habits, thought, and behavior often go a long way toward reducing feelings of stress and tension. Here are 8 quick and simple things you can do immediately to help keep your stress level under control.
1. Control Your Anger:
Watch for the next instance in which you find yourself becoming annoyed or angry at something trivial or unimportant, then practice letting go - make a conscious choice not to become angry or upset. Do not allow yourself to waste thought and energy where it isn't deserved. Effective anger management is a tried-and-true stress reducer.
2. Breathe:
Breathe slowly and deeply. Before reacting to the next stressful occurrence, take three deep breaths and release them slowly. If you have a few minutes, try out breathing exercises such as meditation or guided imagery. The best guided imagery comes from the Bible.
3. Slow Down:
Whenever you feel overwhelmed by stress, practice speaking more slowly than usual. You'll find that you think more clearly and react more reasonably to stressful situations. Stressed people tend to speak fast and breathlessly; by slowing down your speech you'll also appear less anxious and more in control of any situation.
4. Complete One Simple To Do:
Jump start an effective time management strategy. Choose one simple thing you have been putting off (e.g. returning a phone call, making a doctor's appointment) and do it immediately. Just taking care of one nagging responsibility can be energizing and can improve your attitude.
5. Get Some Fresh Air:
Get outdoors for a brief break. Our grandparents were right about the healing power of fresh air. Don't be deterred by foul weather or a full schedule. Even five minutes on a balcony or terrace can be rejuvenating.
6. Avoid Hunger and Dehydration:
Drink plenty of water and eat small, nutritious snacks. Hunger and dehydration, even before you're aware of them, can provoke aggressiveness and exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress.
7. Do a Quick Posture Check:
Hold your head and shoulders upright and avoid stooping or slumping. Bad posture can lead to muscle tension, pain, and increased stress.
8. Recharge at the Day’s End:
Plan something rewarding for the end of your stressful day, even if only a relaxing bath or half an hour with a good book. Put aside work, housekeeping or family concerns for a brief period before bedtime and allow yourself to fully relax. Don't spend this time planning tomorrow's schedule or doing chores you didn't get around to during the day. Remember that you need time to recharge and energize yourself - you'll be much better prepared to face another stressful day.
If you would like more information about stress reduction, spiritual formation, or organizational revitalization, email berachahleadership@gmail.com
Simple modifications in posture, habits, thought, and behavior often go a long way toward reducing feelings of stress and tension. Here are 8 quick and simple things you can do immediately to help keep your stress level under control.
1. Control Your Anger:
Watch for the next instance in which you find yourself becoming annoyed or angry at something trivial or unimportant, then practice letting go - make a conscious choice not to become angry or upset. Do not allow yourself to waste thought and energy where it isn't deserved. Effective anger management is a tried-and-true stress reducer.
2. Breathe:
Breathe slowly and deeply. Before reacting to the next stressful occurrence, take three deep breaths and release them slowly. If you have a few minutes, try out breathing exercises such as meditation or guided imagery. The best guided imagery comes from the Bible.
3. Slow Down:
Whenever you feel overwhelmed by stress, practice speaking more slowly than usual. You'll find that you think more clearly and react more reasonably to stressful situations. Stressed people tend to speak fast and breathlessly; by slowing down your speech you'll also appear less anxious and more in control of any situation.
4. Complete One Simple To Do:
Jump start an effective time management strategy. Choose one simple thing you have been putting off (e.g. returning a phone call, making a doctor's appointment) and do it immediately. Just taking care of one nagging responsibility can be energizing and can improve your attitude.
5. Get Some Fresh Air:
Get outdoors for a brief break. Our grandparents were right about the healing power of fresh air. Don't be deterred by foul weather or a full schedule. Even five minutes on a balcony or terrace can be rejuvenating.
6. Avoid Hunger and Dehydration:
Drink plenty of water and eat small, nutritious snacks. Hunger and dehydration, even before you're aware of them, can provoke aggressiveness and exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress.
7. Do a Quick Posture Check:
Hold your head and shoulders upright and avoid stooping or slumping. Bad posture can lead to muscle tension, pain, and increased stress.
8. Recharge at the Day’s End:
Plan something rewarding for the end of your stressful day, even if only a relaxing bath or half an hour with a good book. Put aside work, housekeeping or family concerns for a brief period before bedtime and allow yourself to fully relax. Don't spend this time planning tomorrow's schedule or doing chores you didn't get around to during the day. Remember that you need time to recharge and energize yourself - you'll be much better prepared to face another stressful day.
If you would like more information about stress reduction, spiritual formation, or organizational revitalization, email berachahleadership@gmail.com
Monday, August 4, 2008
Here's a free resource for you!
Has it been a busy summer for you too?? Do you rememeber the quiet, lazy days of summer?? Not any more - with mission trips, Vacation Bible School, outreach missions to reach lost people....you might need a vacation from your vacation, too!
Well maybe you've been thinking about how to do church different this year, to display a lived Christianity. Well, here are some questions that growing churches ask. If you want some help on growing your church, in bringing a revitalized vision for mission, read on.....
If you would like a free demographic report of the faith and lifestyle preferences, email berachahleadership@gmail.com
1. Is your ministry strategy creating buzz in your community?If people aren’t talking about what’s happening at your church, they’re not inviting their friends. What are you doing to create dialogue and make people think “I need to check that out and see for myself”?
2. Do volunteers own the ministry of the church?
You can’t hire enough staff to accomplish the entire ministry spectrum that needs to be accomplished in a growing church. With that in mind, you need to create a culture where the volunteers expect to do it before staff.
3. Do you exceed the expectations of your first-time guests?
Whether we like it or not, our guests are consumers before they’re convinced they should become learners or worshippers or servants. That means they’re walking into your doors for the first time expecting an experience that meets or exceeds what they’re getting at the theatre, the restaurant and the mall.
4. Are you attracting the very best talent to your team?
This is about both staff and volunteer team development. Ministry success begins with gifted people who are committed to the vision. Are you getting and keeping the best?
5. Are people having fun?
You have to give people hope, encouragement and the chance to laugh. We live in a fast-paced, stressful culture. If people can’t find health and balance in your church, they’ll find it someplace else.
6. Does your team know, embrace and champion the church's established vision and values?
Leaders need vision. Resources will follow vision. Churches divide because of lack of vision. You have to figure out where you’re going to know if you’ll ever arrive.
7. Do people accept change as normal?
Believe it or not, even churches can develop a culture where change is both expected and embraced. And change is certainly critical in a culture that is continually morphing.
8. Are you addressing the real issues of real lives?
People are looking for more than a three-point message that exegetes the biblical text. They’re trying to parent their kids, save their marriages, deal with losses and illnesses and addictions. They’re trying to find purpose and fulfillment for their lives. Is your message relevant to their lives?
9. Are you as committed to developing effective systems as you are to innovation? As churches grow, they need to move from a purely entrepreneurial approach to one that also values the development of effective systems and strategies in area like structure, staffing, technology and finances. Through systems big churches remain small enough to personalize the experience for every attender.
10. Have you built a church of leaders?
Well maybe you've been thinking about how to do church different this year, to display a lived Christianity. Well, here are some questions that growing churches ask. If you want some help on growing your church, in bringing a revitalized vision for mission, read on.....
If you would like a free demographic report of the faith and lifestyle preferences, email berachahleadership@gmail.com
10 Questions Growing Churches Should Ask
Brought to you by
Berachah Leadership Coaching
“Redesigning life by revitalizing organizations”
berachahleadership@gmail.com
Brought to you by
Berachah Leadership Coaching
“Redesigning life by revitalizing organizations”
berachahleadership@gmail.com
1. Is your ministry strategy creating buzz in your community?
2. Do volunteers own the ministry of the church?
You can’t hire enough staff to accomplish the entire ministry spectrum that needs to be accomplished in a growing church. With that in mind, you need to create a culture where the volunteers expect to do it before staff.
3. Do you exceed the expectations of your first-time guests?
Whether we like it or not, our guests are consumers before they’re convinced they should become learners or worshippers or servants. That means they’re walking into your doors for the first time expecting an experience that meets or exceeds what they’re getting at the theatre, the restaurant and the mall.
4. Are you attracting the very best talent to your team?
This is about both staff and volunteer team development. Ministry success begins with gifted people who are committed to the vision. Are you getting and keeping the best?
5. Are people having fun?
You have to give people hope, encouragement and the chance to laugh. We live in a fast-paced, stressful culture. If people can’t find health and balance in your church, they’ll find it someplace else.
6. Does your team know, embrace and champion the church's established vision and values?
Leaders need vision. Resources will follow vision. Churches divide because of lack of vision. You have to figure out where you’re going to know if you’ll ever arrive.
7. Do people accept change as normal?
Believe it or not, even churches can develop a culture where change is both expected and embraced. And change is certainly critical in a culture that is continually morphing.
8. Are you addressing the real issues of real lives?
People are looking for more than a three-point message that exegetes the biblical text. They’re trying to parent their kids, save their marriages, deal with losses and illnesses and addictions. They’re trying to find purpose and fulfillment for their lives. Is your message relevant to their lives?
9. Are you as committed to developing effective systems as you are to innovation? As churches grow, they need to move from a purely entrepreneurial approach to one that also values the development of effective systems and strategies in area like structure, staffing, technology and finances. Through systems big churches remain small enough to personalize the experience for every attender.
10. Have you built a church of leaders?
You can’t do it alone. It takes a team of empowered leaders to take ministry to the next level. What are you doing to multiply and release the leadership potential in your church? And, are you creating an environment where high-capacity leaders are welcomed? These are the questions that have been challenging my thinking in recent years. I don’t know that our ministry has completely arrived in any of these areas, but I know these have been the issues we’ve tried to address along the way to continue the growth cycle we’ve experienced. These are the continuing questions that come out of our mission statement, the filter for how and what we do to create a mission culture. Hopefully, they will challenge your thinking as well.
Berachah Leadership Coaching has been assisting congregations in discerning their futures. We believe that the entire congregation has a role in this process and that the leaders often need specific skills, resources and a set-apart time to guide the congregation in the process.
For more information, or to schedule a pre-consultation conference, call Charles Roberts at 516-620-3535, or email berachahleadership@gmail.com
Berachah Leadership Coaching has been assisting congregations in discerning their futures. We believe that the entire congregation has a role in this process and that the leaders often need specific skills, resources and a set-apart time to guide the congregation in the process.
For more information, or to schedule a pre-consultation conference, call Charles Roberts at 516-620-3535, or email berachahleadership@gmail.com
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