advice for pastors that's not just for pastors...

Was emailed this by a friend. It comes from toddrhoades.com. 

A lot of stuff in here that applies to every Christ follower, but a few things that specifically pastors have a hard time putting into practice (i.e. wise delegation of ministry responsibilities). 

I wonder...for you non-pastors out there that read these kinds of lists...does it sound like pastors are always telling each other to quit working so hard? If so, how do you feel about that? 

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1. Let God restore your soul daily.

• Psalm 23.  Matthew 11:28.

• Worship.  Prayer.  Solitude.  Listening.  Bible reading.

Averill quote: I pray for you to know the REST of Jesus in all things.  The enemy will deceitfully persuade you that you have many things to accomplish in order to keep things running.  I am all too aware of this temptation.  Simplicity in Christ leads us to only one thing to do- let Christ do it.

2.  Give your marriage priority attention.

• A bad marriage ruins the rest of life.  (Remember the Proverbs.)

• A good marriage fortifies you for the rest of life.

• Is your home a tunnel of chaos or an oasis of rest?

3.  Work with your personal rhythms.

• For me:  start early, try and leave early.

• Creative work in the mornings.

• Between 4-7 p.m.:  not my best time for mental focus.

4.  Keep your Sabbath rest.

• A principle of creation:  rest one day in seven.

• Sabbath is a day to pray and play.

• Eugene Peterson:  hike all day.

5.  Do the things only you can do – and delegate the rest.

• Be ruthless in simplifying your work.

• Empower others!

• Take some time now to save much time later.

6.  Focus on results not time at work.

• 40-50 hours a week, total for me.

• However, the point is not to clock your time but to get things done.

• Focus on your highest impact activities.

• Managers do things right.  Leaders do the right things.

7.  Get regular exercise.

• For me:  weight lift and cardio 4-5 times per week

• If you are healthier and fit, you can work harder and you will last longer.

• Exercise is a huge stress reliever.

8. Ask for help.

• Secrets are dangerous.
• Need help? In the last 18 months, has a trusted person told you, “I think you need to talk to somebody about that.”  If the answer is yes, get help.
• Every prominent Christian leader and pastor I know, regularly visits a counselor.  It is okay to ask for help.

9.  Let God heal your anger.

• Ask God to show you … heal you.

• Ask a close friend if you seem angry.

• Consider:  Elder prayer, counseling, talking with an insightful friend.

• This is enormously important!

10. Don’t be crushed by criticism.

• Consider the source.

• Be willing to receive criticism from trustworthy people – people who are for you, who are insightful, who are not negative.

• Consider if you are a pleaser.  Galatians 1:10