Pastors, please take a break
As mentioned on Monday, I just came back from four weeks of vacation. That was preceded by a week of writing. I’m very blessed to have a consistory that gives me enough time off so that when I come back, I’m refreshed and ready to soldier on. David Murray wrote a must-read post for pastors last week. Most of what he suggests I already do. I try to take one day off per week (Saturday, the day my kids are home during the school year). All my preparations for Sunday are finished by Friday night, so that Saturday can be unencumbered. Another practice that I’ve found helpful is the daily afternoon nap. I’ve been doing that for years and it gives me a better state of mind at supper and more energy for the evening (when I often have visits, classes or meetings). Then there’s also the daily constitutional, a brisk 40 minute walk after supper. That gives me time to reflect and sometimes (if they’re interested in joining me) converse with my wife or kids.
Oddly enough it’s blog posts like this that make me think I couldn’t never hack that pastorate.