The Church Council, at its meeting on July 16th, approved a proposal to grant me two consecutive days off each week. Many may not be aware that pastors are typically only given one day off a week. Contrary to the popular “belief” that pastors only work one day a week!
The reason the Church Council acted in this way is because they recognize that I am under a tremendous amount of stress. And I’m not getting any younger! Stress from my wife Cyndy’s health challenges, the disaffiliation process for The Fount and 21 other churches in our annual conference, retirement plans (I am hoping to retire next year), and the accumulation of factors coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. In truth, I asked for this action because I know myself; I know that if I am not careful, I could easily burn out under the stress.
Some stress is good. In fact, we all need some stress in order to thrive in life. But when the stress becomes so heavy that it begins to diminish our ability to function well, it is time to deal with it. On my one day off in the past, I have tried to “power rest” by taking Sabbath time. But as is usually the case when one has only one day off a week, all of the things needing to get done that one doesn’t have the time to do during a work day, come due. Try as I do to rest and recuperate, I often find that one day just isn’t enough to rest AND get other things done. This blessing of having two days off in a row will help, but I will still need to be careful.
What is true for me is also true for others, I believe. Now, my age (I’m 67) contributes to my need for significant rest, but everyone, no matter what age, needs to budget time for rest. It is why the Lord created Sabbath, the “Rest of God.” He knows that our lives can become cluttered with so much that we fail to connect with Him in any significant way. We work and work, trying to get ahead (or just to stay afloat) and eventually find that constant work is self-defeating. Our health suffers. Our energy is depleted. Our productivity wanes, and life becomes a day to day battle. Taking well-timed rest (vacations, retreats, days off, etc.) in a rhythm that makes sense to us individually, is healthy and holy.
My commitment to you is that I will see you through the disaffiliation process as best I can. I will not retire until this matter is settled. There are other factors in Cyndy’s and my retirement decisions, too, but I want you to know that I will not leave you stranded! And in order to be my best in shepherding you through this, I need to take care of my own emotional, physical, and spiritual health. The Church Council wisely recognizes this, and has acted to help make it happen.
Thank you for your understanding and support!
Gratefully,
