I'm Surviving and Thriving!

Hello Emmanuel,

I survived yesterday.  As part of Emmanuel’s Mother’s Day gift, a group of men of the church (and Rachel) offered to take care of kids so that moms could have a couple hours to themselves (or with their friends).  We had 10 different families leave their kids with us.  Fortunately there was plenty of help.  The gift of time was a success. 

I was also reminded how valuable it is to have so many servants in the church.  While I did help with lunch, I was also able to take time to connect with a new person of the church.  We had very good conversation and I hope I was able to help her make a connection with Emmanuel.

I was also approached by a couple that came into the building looking for financial help.  I was freed up enough to help them in a responsible way (i.e. the sermon on May 11^th). 

The Pastor can wear many hats, but only so many at one time.  I feel very blessed to have so many servants in the church that it can allow me the freedom to take care of immediate needs when they arise.  I was just mentioning to Shawn Young last week how I can look back and see how my focus as a pastor has shifted over the 5 years.  Once upon a time I was immersed in establishing a long-term vision; then getting a Hospitality Team off the ground; then helping a Sunday School program deal with fast growth; then expanding a Small Group ministry; then managing changing worship issues; then helping with Trustees; then dealing with paid staff issues; then… well… it’s neat for me to see the journey.  This year I’m focusing on the Outreach Team.  If your turn hasn’t come up yet, I’m sure it will.  Why?  Because the many servants of Emmanuel give me the freedom to wear whatever hat I need to wear in order to help the church as much as possible.

Certainly there are hats that I will always wear:  preaching, teaching, visiting and offering the sacraments are obvious ones.  However, it feels good to do what I feel like I’m called to do.  Watching God move me from one topic to the next without me getting so overwhelmed with hats that I get too weighed down is refreshing.

How do you view your journey?  Do you have people in your life that help you do what you feel like you are called to do?  If not, why not?  My door is open.  I have time to talk.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Moms Are Happy But...

Hello Emmanuel,

It was another good Mother’s Day yesterday.  And by ‘good’, I mean that Mom was happy.  Clearly any other ‘good’ doesn’t matter on Mother’s Day, right?  We go about our day trying to find ways to say ‘thank you’.  For us it was an attempt to have the house clean; the kids fixing a meal for Kim; and then giving her gifts. 

Emmanuel (and other churches) also go about trying to celebrate moms.  Free stuff is given away, the most popular being flowers.  This year, however, Emmanuel is offering a different kind of gift…. The gift of time.  I (and any other willing man) am going to offer childcare from 12:00 until 2:00 next Sunday for any moms that just want time to do what they want.  We will feed the kids and make sure they have fun while moms aren’t around (which isn’t really all that difficult… hehe….).

I think this is a neat idea that comes from the Vision Team… the gift of time.  What is it that moms don’t have enough of?  It isn’t flowers or bookmarks or pins… it’s time.  It falls into one of my passionate issues when it comes to healthy living as a disciple:  self-care.

I would have left ministry on more than one occasion if I didn’t learn how to take care of myself (physically, emotionally, spiritually).  Any time someone gives of themselves for a long period of time without finding ways to refuel are in danger of crashing and burning--becoming frustrated or discouraged or just down right too tired to keep going.  Every human being is like this, though some humans can go a much longer time than others depending on how they are wired.  And yet some just won’t admit it for fear it may look weak or ignoble.

What I have learned is that ignoble is to make a commitment, be it a vocation or parenthood or a hobby, and quit in the midst of it or not give 100% because of this reason or another.  If I were to leave ministry or give less than 100% because I was too worn out, then that isn’t anyone’s fault but my own.  The same holds true for parenthood.

So, for all you moms and dads out there, find a way to care for yourself.  Being glued to your kids 24/7 isn’t healthy in the long-run.  Not only can you get worn out and even become unhappy, but you can also lose your identity as a person (and when your kids become independent and leave to start their own life, it can be a tragic time for you). 

I know there are supermoms and superdads who might disagree with me on this, but superpowers are only found in the comic books… even Jesus needed time to himself. 

So let me watch your kids next Sunday and go do what you want.  Even if it is for only 2 hours, it is good statement for Emmanuel to make.  Just be sure you are back at the church at 2:00.  I have a feeling that I’m going to be ready to leave (along with all the men who are going to volunteer to help me).

God is Good,

Pastor Joe