days off | Ministry Blackboard

26Dec/110

The Monday Morning Debrief: Christmas break hangouts

If you are a minster who has today off and is actually reading this on Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, do me a favor - SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER. As ministers, we rarely get a day off where we aren't thinking about ministry or processing ministry or even answering a call or text. So, considering we worked all week leading up to Christmas Eve and day and then worked Christmas Eve and day, you need to shut down your computer right now and hang with your family. Seriously...turn it off...right now.

But, if this isn't a day off for you or if you are reading this on another day other than the 26th, I'd like to challenge you to think of what you can be doing this week to reach out to students. The winter break is a great time to hang out with students informally and build relationships. They can tell you about what they got for Christmas and what they are planning on doing for New Years Eve. If students are anything like my own children, it doesn't take much time form them to get bored as they look for something to do. So, if this isn't a week off for you, TAKE A MINUTE right now and think through what students you could give a call to this week and hang out with.

Now, if this is your week off, by all means, make the most of it and spend it with your family. You've worked hard all year and you deserve time off so take that time and enjoy. Seriously, really spend that time and invest in your family.

What are your thoughts, comments, questions or experiences? Post a comment and let the discussion begin so that we can all benefit from it.

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Tagged as: christmas, days off, holidays, time off, vacation No Comments

7Jul/112

POLL: Vacation Days

It is now July 7th. Summer is well on it's way. I know that the summer months are really busy and can be packed with great ministry opportunities with students. But it is also the ideal time to take some much needed R&R (especially if you have a family of your own).

So I'm curious, what is the status of your vacation time used so far this year. Are you taking time to get away and enjoy your family and friends? Or are you "too busy" to possibly take time off? Believe me, I have felt "too busy" and even "too important" to take time off before and it got me no where. Actually, it got me in the dog house with my wife and children.

TAKE A MINUTE and answer the Poll question. Then, post a comment or 2 about your experience with vacation days (good or bad) so that we may all learn and benefit from it.

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Tagged as: beach, days off, family, poll, sabbath, time off, vacationt 2 Comments

25Aug/100

Feeling Refreshed

This past week I was on vacation. It was actually the 1st vacation in a long time that I didn't do any work! Ok, well maybe I sent out 1 email for a pretty important meeting on Monday, but that was it. Seriously, I didn't bring my computer and with the exception of that email, I only check my phone for non-work related stuff (like fantasy football draft scenarios). Even though I posted and tweeted about those posts, those were all set up beforehand.

So I come back completely refreshed. I can't say that I really want to go and work (who really wants to do that ), but I can say that this time off was a great opportunity for me to get rejuvenated and ready to move into the fall.

Even though we all should take vacation time off, there are other ways to get refreshed without going on vacation. You could:

Go somewhere and do something you normally wouldn't go during a day off. For instance, go to a state park and go for a hike.
Spend a lazy day around the hood. Turn off your phone and your computer and just chill out. Go to the pool and/or read a good "non-work" book.
Take a nap! Seriously, the value of a nap in immeasurable (especially if you have kids).

Just 3 simple things that I have found helpful to getting refreshed. What have you found to be effective in your life? Post a comment so we can all benefit.

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Tagged as: days off, rest No Comments

2Aug/091

Brainstorm Time: VACATION & DAYS OFF

A few months ago, a Youth Pastor friend of mine wrote on his Facebook status line something to the extent of, "Spending time hanging with the family". Now, that is great that he was taking time with his family. But, I replied to him, "Then why are you on the computer?". I love this guy and we laughed about it, but I think it brings up a good issue.

How do we, as Youth Pastors and Ministers, take quality vacation time and days off? It can be so hard considering so much rests on your shoulders. However, in Exodus 20:8-11, God commands us to "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."

So, because I started off my blog with this quick story, I have a true confession - I'm on vacation. I know, I know, I shouldn't be blogging or doing any work while on vacation. But, my mind still works and I wanted to write down a few thoughts early in the morning before the family got up.

Therefore, I would love for you all to brainstorm how do YOU effectively take days off without worrying about work? For example, do you turn off your cell phone?

I promise, I will try my hardest not to respond to any great comments about this until after I get home from vacation. But, unless you all are on your day off or on vacation, post a comment or 2 so that we all can be encouraging each other.

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