burnout/burn out
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Posted on March 6, 2012, 1:44 am | 1 comment
Topics: Spiritual Health
It's seventh inning stretch time. This is the time of the year when the initial gusto of the start has waned, and now, you may find yourself in a bit of a rut. I always hope not, but the reality is that it happens. We get tired. It's tough. What should we do about it?
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Posted on October 3, 2011, 12:00 am | 2 comments
Topics: Youth
I was talking with a friend of mine who was a youth leader for many years and is now a senior pastor of a large church. We laughed as we remembered the crazy stuff that we experienced as youth leaders. We both expressed our thankfulness for the blessings we experienced AND we both agreed it was the most exhausting time of our life. How many really gifted youth leaders have resigned because they didn’t have the time or energy to continue at the pace it takes to do good youth ministry? Then the next question becomes, how do we support those youth leaders so that they can continue to do the ministry for which they are so gifted?
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Posted on September 20, 2011, 4:00 am
Topics: Roles, Spiritual Health
You're a nurturer, but are you being nurtured? Our culture tells us we need to be productive and efficient. Usually that means every minute of our day has to be filled with some commitment. The reality is that's not healthy, truthful, or the gospel.
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Posted on July 10, 2011, 10:17 pm
Topics: Roles
Have you ever had one of those days when you just want to throw in the towel and yell "ENOUGH - I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE!"? Many of us have gone through that. How is it possible to continue when you feel there is nothing left to give?
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Posted on June 1, 2011, 2:00 pm | 4 comments
Topics: Roles
It seems like there is a leadership crisis in many of our churches, specifically relating to our council roles of deacon and elder. Many congregations are struggling to find individuals who are able or willing to step into these roles. What’s going on? Why is this happening?
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Posted on January 3, 2011, 2:15 pm
Topics: Supporting Volunteers
Sunday morning for me feels like kids, kids, kids. And the energy it takes to serve them well—singing, telling stories, listening to them, helping them get along, praying together, leading activities…can be exhausting. I love my Sunday afternoon nap!
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Posted on September 17, 2010, 12:00 am
Be honest with yourself – YOU work hard all year long spiritually feeding the youth of your church. It’s long hours, 7 days a week! You deserve a break! It’s time to recharge, reconnect and retreat!
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Posted on May 11, 2010, 9:28 pm | 1 comment
Topics: Leadership
Psalm 19 exultingly reminds us: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” In one of God’s blessed whimsies, a quiet setting next to a Michigan lake under those heavens helped frame a far-reaching conversation about Christian Reformed Church leadership.
Several summers ago, Rev. Duane Kelderman of Calvin Seminary sat on the deck of the family cottage, mulling over informal discussions about pastoral leadership and congregational life and strife.
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