Jul 27, 2017 | Calling, Family, Fatigue, Leadership, physical health, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Work
“Reflection turns experience into insight.” ~ John Maxwell We (Laura, Chad and I) recently returned from a week of vacation in northern Michigan. The multi-shaded blue waters of the Great Lakes, the beautiful rivers, the feel of sand between my toes, fantastic...
Jul 13, 2017 | Change, Depression, Relationships, Stress, Uncategorized
I feel discombobulated. In the past twelve months, three of my sons married the girl of their dreams. My fourth son graduated from Walsh College. Twelve months ago, Laura and I took on part-time responsibility for a new church plant, in addition to our full-time gig...
Jun 29, 2017 | Change, Depression, discouragement, Fear, friendship, Relationships, Stress
I feel discombobulated. In the past twelve months, three of my sons married the girl of their dreams. My fourth son graduated from Walsh College. Twelve months ago, Laura and I took on part-time responsibility for a new church plant, in addition to our full-time gig...
Jun 22, 2017 | Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Stress, Uncategorized
What drives you? Passion? Or adrenaline? Also called epinephrine, adrenaline is a crucial part of the body’s fight-or-flight response, but over-exposure can be damaging to our health. A 2004 article by the Table Group points out: “There is something...
Mar 2, 2017 | Calling, Depression, Fatigue, Fear, Leadership, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized
The more pastors I talk to, the more I realize many of them struggle with busy. At a recent conference, I asked several pastors how they were doing with taking a day off every week. The first two replied: “I don’t take a full day off and haven’t for years.” Two more...
Feb 23, 2017 | Calling, Fatigue, Leadership, Stress, Uncategorized, Work
When I ask pastors about their day off, I’m often greeted with a blank stare followed by uncomfortable mumbling. Some report they haven’t taken a day off in years… and even worse… a few of them are proud of it. Many contributors to pastoral burnout exist. An...
