Three Benefits of a Few Days Away From Your Ministry
Pastors, there are many benefits of taking a few days away from your ministry. In my younger years, I wondered if I could afford to be away. But the longer I am in the ministry, the more I know that my body, my family, and my church need me to take a few days away from the ministry. It is profitable for all parties.
When we first started out in ministry, our time away from the church was mainly spent with our families. It seemed like when we arrived at Jeana’s family home, six hours away, or at my parents’ home, 11 hours away, we were on a retreat. Our families played with and cared for our boys while we rested and slept. It was not about where we went, but being away was always profitable.
Since today’s blog is directed towards pastors and church leaders, let me share a few of the benefits I have found in taking time away:
Benefit #1: Diversion relaxes the mind
Regardless of where you may go to be away from your ministry — it is a diversion. This diversion relaxes the mind. Stepping away from the daily grind is very beneficial for the mind. Even though technology can keep us connected, and even if you enter into a time of some decision-making, you are still removed from your normal ministry routine.
Benefit #2: Learning refreshes the spirit
When I am away in a friendly, relaxing place I choose to learn. I am able to read books I’ve wanted to read, rather than books I must read. I am able to take some more time for running and exercise, which provides me opportunities to listen to pastors and teachers who mentor me through their podcast ministry. Earlier this week, I wrote a blog about, “Four Books I Read While Away For A Few Days.” I encourage you to read that post to see what I did and read during that time.
Now, when it is just Jeana and I away for a while, learning can occur much easier than if we take a week away with our children and grandchildren. That time away is much more engaging, but again, beneficial as a diversion. The season of your life definitely determines the benefits of being away.
Benefit #3: Changing pace rests the body
Time away from the ministry always should result in a change of pace. Your schedule should not remain the same; in fact, you need to insure it changes some. When we go away, decision-making is lessoned. Quite honestly, here is what will comprise a day while Jeana and I are away. These things you can count on:
*We always begin our day with God — while at home this is usually very early most days. When we are away, we sleep later.
*We exercise nearly every day while away — we both do this, using the time to learn, grow, and be mentored by someone through listening to a podcast of some kind.
*We will spend our days together — this may be at the beach, or shopping, or every now and then we take in a movie.
*We will eat — this is usually our biggest decision of the day in our time away. We will usually go to an early dinner and we greatly enjoy this time together.
*We will usually drive around, taking in the environment — this is refreshing to both of us, but especially for me.
When your daily pace is changed, your body is more likely to become rested. In the few days away we just had together, I came back rested.
In closing Pastor . . .
Take time away. There is nothing noble or spiritual about refusing to go away. Yes, through the years, I have had to force myself to do so. There have been times when I’ve left the office feeling fearful of what may happen while I would be away. There have also been occasions that while I was away my time was jeopardized by problems at the church. Just recently, my biggest issue was that I felt the “treadmill of life” that I had been on for several months was running so fast I was not sure I could get off of it.
So Pastor, there will always be reasons to not be away from the ministry. But let me be completely honest with you. There are three major reasons you need to be away:
*YOU need it
*YOUR family needs it
*YOUR church needs it
Therefore, take the time. Let God use it in your life.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
This Week at Cross Church | On My Heart: Several things I want to share with my Cross Church Family
Several things are on my heart that I want to share with you, my Cross Church Family. I do hope you will take the time to read these brief thoughts so we can walk through life together as Pastor and People. Together, we can make a difference for the Lord.
Sunday We Speak From Acts 9
This coming Sunday, we learn from Acts 9. It will be a powerful message on iNFLUENCE! We will look at one of the major personalities of the New Testament, Saul. What a story. I cannot wait to share it with you. Please take the time to read Acts 9 before Sunday, invite someone to join you, and let’s make Sunday a joyful explosion in the name of the Lord.
Cross Church School Of Ministry
This one-year residential ministry experience will prepare spiritual leaders for life, leadership, and Gospel advancement globally. Our number one need: Students! Whether we have one, five, 10 students or more, we are going forward and doing so with confidence that we are following God’s leadership. Yet, we need you to pray that God will send us students! This is an innovative initiative, fresh to the ears and eyes of ministry today; therefore, it will take time. Pray for Dr. Jeff Crawford as he continues to talk to prospective students.
Southern Baptist Convention
After I preach on Sunday morning, Jeana and I will fly to Houston, Texas, for the 2013 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. I need your prayer support. Did you read that? I really need your prayer support. Why?
*Monday morning: I will speak at the Pastors’ Conference of our convention, serving in a roundtable discussion with two great men of God: Dr. Mark Dever of Washington D.C. and Dr. Tony Merida of Wake Forest, North Carolina. Dr. Gregg Matte, President of the 2013 Pastors’ Conference, will lead this roundtable discussion on the subject of preaching. Please pray that this practical, engaging, innovative approach will help thousands of pastors. I am honored to be a part of this roundtable.
*Monday afternoon: I will nominate Dr. Bruce Frank, Lead Pastor of the Biltmore Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina, to serve as President of the 2014 Pastors’ Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention, which will be meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. It is my prayer that God will raise up this incredible leader and preacher for this grand moment.
*Tuesday at noon: Life Action Ministries has asked me to join three other spiritual leaders over a major lunch meeting to talk about the subject of Spiritual Revival. I look forward to this engaging luncheon as hundreds of Pastors will gather for discussion around this theme. Pray for a mighty visitation from God.
*Tuesday afternoon: I will assist Dr. Eric Geiger and Dr. Thom Rainer in giving the Annual Report of Lifeway Christian Resources at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. As many of you know, I am serving for three years as the General Editor of the Bible Studies For Life Curriculum Series — which is being used presently in over 30,000 churches by over 150,000 small groups, and over 1.5 million people weekly. They will interview me about my role and this new commitment we are making to help churches.
*Additionally: There are many other things I will be involved in Sunday night through Wednesday night. Pray for Jeana and I as we walk through these strategic days.
Let me make this clear: I already love what God will do during the days of the Southern Baptist Convention. I am so encouraged by so many things I am seeing and hearing. God is moving and we are so blessed. So, pray for our annual meeting next week in Houston, Texas.
Ministries of Cross Church
Nothing captures my imagination more than the ministries of Cross Church. I am thrilled with many things and at the same time have a few concerns about others. We must remain on task and refuse to be distracted! We are about reaching Northwest Arkansas, America, and the World for Jesus Christ!
Whether we are serving through our student and children’s camps, Vacation Bible Xtremes, Summer Freedom Celebration, or mission endeavors —locally, nationally, or globally — we must keep the vision ever before us and commit to evangelizing the lost, baptizing the new followers of Christ, and discipling all Christ-followers.
We must commit to call people to weekly worship, regardless of what the culture does to distract them from doing it! We must remind people of their need to be in a Small Group, even when they think their time is too limited! We must call people to be servants of Christ, doing something seasonally or weekly for the Lord through His church! We must call people to honor Christ with the first-tenth of all God has given them financially, even when they think we are out of touch! A Gospel life is a costly life. Jesus paid it all!
Therefore, we should be willing to count the cost and follow Christ unashamedly and unreservedly! Yes, we are the people of God committed to reaching Northwest Arkansas, America, and the World for Jesus Christ.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.