by Gregg Boll, Associate Director of Missions
I’ve met with and had heart to heart conversations with several of our BR-KC pastors. What I am hearing consistently is that our pastors are weary. Weary, yet hopeful! Weary, yet still persevering and doing the hard work of ministry. From my vantage point, I would encourage you to ask your church for a sabbatical if you’ve been pastoring for seven or more consecutive years without a sabbatical. Remember, we have budgeted at BR-KC to cover the costs of your supply preachers while you are away on sabbatical. If you would like me to write a letter on your behalf to your church, deacon body or other lay leadership explaining the rationale and benefits to the church in sending their pastor on sabbatical, I am happy to do that. If you are not due for a sabbatical, I would encourage you to use all of the vacation you have coming to you. I also like Rick Warren’s idea he shared with H.B. London on a Pastor to Pastor radio program once. He encouraged pastors to try to carve out a little bit of time each day, each week, each month, and each year to do something that recharges you and that you actually look forward to doing. The healing power of having something you look forward to doing in the short and long term can be a powerful self-management practice.
If you are missing and craving some fellowship with other pastors, join us Thursday, May 12th at Grace Church for lunch from noon to 1pm. We’ll eat, encourage, and pray for each other. Bring any issues or tough situations you are dealing with currently and get some counsel and encouragement from those present.
I always want to remind churches and pastors about the Resound Revitalization Process that has been developed to help plateaued and declining churches. This can make the pastor’s and lay leader’s job in bringing needed change so much easier. Pastors, a part of the assessments we do in the revitalization process are focused on the church. However, we also have a new pastoral assessment that can help you identify areas in your leadership that need attention. Then, a mentor is assigned to follow up with you in implementing healthier personal and leadership practices. Please, give me a call to hear how the process works and the potential benefits to you and the church. Also, save the date of September 15th on your calendar as BR-KC, along with West Central and Clay-Platte Baptist Associations, are jointly hosting a regional Church Wellness Seminar where many of these revitalization principles will be shared in detail.
If we haven’t gotten together for a while, don’t hesitate to reach out to me for a personal meeting. I love spending time with our BR-KC pastors and churches.
