Reflections on Sand and Waves: Sheri and I are relaxing on a quiet beach with long-time friends. We took our first vacation with them thirty years ago, and in spite of kids and relocations – they now live in China – we have made it a point to spend a week together at least once every other year. This year it’s Mexico, which has been glorious. And I do not sit long at a beach before I am reminded of Philippians 1:9, where Paul prays that the Philippian’s love will “abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment.” Elsewhere in Greek literature, the phrase “more and more” is used to describe the relentless nature of waves. As you know when you visit the beach, they just keep coming. I have been reminding myself that God’s love for me just keeps coming and coming, and that He calls on me to extend that same kind of relentless-as-the-waves love to others.
On the Night Stand: On the flight out I read Leading on Empty, the story of a pastor burning out and then recovering. I am now reading Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told us about Surviving and Thriving in Ministry. I am not reading these because I am burning out – though I did need a vacation! Two other things are motivating me:
- Of the twenty or so friends I went to seminary with, only two remain in pastoral ministry. Most are now doing important and interesting things, but they are no longer on staff at a local church. My experience is not unique. Pastors everywhere are stepping down. Some call it an epidemic. The folks at the Eli Lilly Foundation were concerned enough that a while back they pledged $82 million dollars to figure out what is going on and try to stop it.
- As part of Christ Church’s commitment to “fuel a movement that reaches people and renews communities” we are committed to helping other churches. Part of helping other churches means helping those who lead them. In April we will be hosting a workshop for pastors on how to develop survival skills for long-term church-ministry. I will be interviewing Dr. Donald Guthrie, one of the architects of the Lilly study and one of the authors of Resilient Ministry.
Quotes worth requoting:
- The problem is not to find the answer, it’s to face the answer. Terence McKenna. (This echoes Jim Collins admonition that we, “face the brutal facts.”)
- Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am. David, Psalm 39:4. I am struck that David is not making an observation about the brevity of life, he is praying that God grant him an awareness of this fact. Clearly, most of us end up surprised at how short it feels, and we often waste a lot of time.
Thanks and Praise:
- I have been able to start jogging again. (I am just over a month removed from arthroscopic knee surgery). Clearly this injury will keep me out of yet another Olympics, but there is always 2022.
- It is great to have long time friends with whom you have shared many highs and lows.
Prayer Requests:
- I remain aware of the many challenges facing the Christ Church staff right now. Pray for strength, energy and protection as we move into REACH.