When I began my public ministry over four decades ago, there was a bit of a smug superiority inferred in the leadership statement, "I rarely (or) I never take a vacation (or) I haven't had a day off for as long as I can remember." Thank God we have moved passed the asinine idea that beating ourselves in the ground emotionally and physically earns us a badge of honour and increased favour from the Lord.
Having said that, we have a distance to go in this part of our lives. Pastors are some of the most delinquent offenders in this area of planning intentional and purposeful time away from ministry. Contemporary cyber life has accentuated this problem. Each of us carries the totality of our life with us in our pocket and has immediate access to it at any time. The temptation to stay perpetually connected is great. It gives us a 'pseudo' feeling of importance.
May I say it bluntly, but in the greatest sense of love and concern? If you are not scheduling time away for a complete break from ministry this summer, you are robbing yourself, your spouse, and your children of one of the greatest gifts you can give. There is nothing more important. There will always be meetings to chair, sermons to prepare, and people' needs' to address. They will all be there in multiples when you return. You are not about to find yourself out of work. Jesus said well, "the poor you will always have with you." There will be an emotional and physical drain in the year ahead. What are you doing to re-fill the tank this summer?
What are your summer plans? It doesn't have to involve significant expense and far-reaching travel.
Here are some practical thoughts:
A day away will not do it. It takes time for our minds to back away and readjust to rest. It would be best if you planned for a minimum of two weeks' vacation. (Sabbaticals need to be much longer.)
Remove yourself from the environment where you do your work. It is difficult to relax in the same physical space that creates the stress your work produces. There are relatively cheap options with 'Airbnb' in numerous places. Relaxation does not necessitate extravagance.
Try something novel, a bit out there. For some, it's rustic living for a period; for others, water sports, and others, joining festivals and carnivals. Step out of the orbit of your routine and explore something different. Be sure that whatever you choose is far enough away from your everyday life to allow you to disengage.
In 2015, at the beginning of my sabbatical, I installed hardwood throughout the floors of my house. I had never done this before, nor do I wish to do it again; however, it forced me out of my regular space and helped me disengage. It was a complete break from the regular.
Do it with your family! Give yourself unreservedly to them. My fondest memories of a relaxing vacation time have been in the family context. I recall visiting the dinosaur park in Drumheller, where my younger son, about seven at the time, took great joy in correcting the tour guide explaining the processes of evolution. I recall sitting around a campfire, on a perfect night, in the Cypress Hills, telling my boys stories of my childhood well past midnight. I remember the love we shared, the strengthened bonds, and the feeling of well-being these times produced.
Leave your leadership responsibilities to someone from your local church or District Resource Centre. They will adequately carry the baton until your return. Resist the urge to constantly 'check in.' You are not the Messiah; you are not indispensable. The work of the Kingdom will carry on despite your temporary absence. Don't confuse responsibility with obsession.
Let's not have any excuses. Get a vacation under your belt before the howling winds of November return. Your health, ministry effectiveness, and your family's well-being depend on it. The price you will pay if you ignore this counsel is too great.
See you at the lake!
Al is an experienced pastor and counselor who works out of our ABNWT District Resource Centre in Edmonton as the Pastoral Care Coordinator. A pastor to the pastors, Al is a friend, mentor, and confidante to all.