Article - Some Great Ways to Stay At Your Best by Jamie Doyle

By Jamie Doyle

To many of our ministers today are spinning their wheels trying to get by and get the job done. There was a time in every minister's life where he/she was pumped up and excited about what they were doing for the Kingdom of God. They felt like the drive that burned inside of them wouldn't let them slow down. But some how they have run so hard that the fire seems like it's just a few glowing coals that sustains the minister alive enough to keep going. You'll find this to be a truth among many children's ministers. We have the awesome responsibility of shepherding the children, their parents, their older and younger brother's and sisters plus all of the workers that we need to be effective. The problem is that often times, ministers who have reached this point in their ministry come to one of several conclusions. "I've missed my calling," "I need a long break," "I need to find a new church," "I should quit ministry," or, "I need to get back to my best"

Why Do Some Ministers Facilitate the first four conclusions?

Sometimes it's necessary to move ahead in some of the conclusions that we have drawn in the ministry when we're not at our best. Sadly though, many people involved in ministry do these things for the wrong reasons and do not seek the face of God when it comes to matters of getting burned-out.

Here are some tips to help you stay at your best in the Ministry

Go back to what God spoke to you about in the first place.

Ephesians 1:11 "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…"

God gave you a burden in the beginning for kids. So go back to that day you heard the voice of God deep in your spirit and listen again to the call He placed in your life.

If you don't have a vision yet… Get One!

You need a vision to survive in the ministry. Proverbs 29:18 says it best: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The New Living Version says: "When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild." A vision is simply the dream or idea that God has given you for your ministry. It will answer the "who, where, what when, why and how" of your ministry and it's future. If you feel like you've been running wild lately, then get a vision. For more information on developing your vision check the Article "Having a Vision for Your Ministry" .

Have a Plan for your vision

Now look at what it's gonna take in the natural to see this vision come to pass. Write these ideas and methods down and get to it! Habakkuk 2:2 says to: "…write the vision down and to make it plain so others can understand it." Once you have a vision, put it on paper and work to see it accomplished. For more information on putting your vision into a plan of action check the Article "Putting Your Vision Out There"

Take a day off

Exodus 20:8-11: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 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."

It's Biblical! A Sabbath is not just for Sundays. It's the day set aside for resting and devotion to God. Sundays cannot be a pastor's day off… we work too hard! So pick another day off and rest and spend time with your family as you spend time with God. The Sabbath is not an Old Testament Curse… Hebrews 4:9-11: "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God: for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience."

Put your priorities in order and keep 'em!

Your relationship with Jesus Christ should be your first priority. Then your relationship with your spouse. Then your relationship with your kids. Then your job (if you're not in full time ministry). Then your ministry. Keep these priorities in order and don't compromise. If you deal with the most important things first, everything else will seem to fall into place. I'll never forget the illustration about the jar and the different sized rocks and water. If you try to put the small stuff in the jar first: the sand and pebbles, you won't be able to fit all of the large rocks and water into the jar. You'll have a spill of water all over the place. But if you put the bigger stuff in first: the rocks, then the pebbles, then the sand then the water. Everything else will seem to fall into place.

Get some people to help you!

You can't do it all alone! Jesus wouldn't do it all alone when he was here on earth and neither should you! Recruit some people to help you and give out your responsibilities that someone else could do. This will free you up to get your priorities in order and do the most effective work that only you can do. For more information getting people to help you check the article "The Benefit of Others" by the author and "Recruiting Workers" by Jim Wideman.

Begin to manage your time

Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:"

Get a day planner that fits you and keep your calendar, to-do lists and appointments in it at all times. Go back at the end of each day and evaluate how your time was spent. Then make necessary changes to your schedule. My favorite book on this subject is: "Time Management for Dummies" by Jeffery J. Mayer. Check your favorite bookstore where "Dummies" books are sold.

Schedule vacations, time off and periods of rest.

You need this time to relax and spend time with your family. When you schedule these times, don't take church work with you… just relax and enjoy yourself.

Learn how to minister out of an overflow

Luke 6:45 "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Too many ministers never learn how to feed themselves. As we grow older in Christ and begin to mature, we need to learn how to feed ourselves the Word of God. We are some of the few who never get to go to a church service with other adults. There are a couple of solutions…

· Read your Bible on a regular basis.

· Get into a church service. (This is where having others to help you can come in handy).

· If you get into a church service, take notes on the sermon!

· If your adult worship service and sermons are audio-taped, set up a plan to receive your pastor's semons so you can listen to them in your car.

· Order or buy other Bible teaching tapes or sermons on tape by like-faith teachers, preachers and pastors.

· Get a good version of the Bible on tape or CD and play it in your car, while doing chores around the house or with headphones if your jog or run.

· Meet with others in children's ministry by attending a fellowship meeting. If there isn't one in your area - start one!

· Get on Jim Wideman's "Children's Ministers' Leadership Club"

· If there's another church in your area of the same denomination or same doctrine, find out if they are running any special crusades or revival services and attend one. (It will always be wise to ask permission from your pastor on this one).

· Always start to study your children's lessons early in the week. This way the Word of God and the Lesson concepts will sink into your spirit. When you present this lesson on Sunday, You'll be teaching from your heart.

And finally, stay connected with Jesus as much as possible

…with a constant, consistent devotional life (i.e. prayer and feeding on the Word of God).

I am hopeful that these hints will help you to get back to your best as a minister to children, and a minister to God.

This article may not be used for profitable purposes or reprinted in other publications unless permission from the author is granted.