When you combine the fast pace of today's society with the multiple demands of bivocational ministry, burnout becomes a major concern and a real possibility. Burnout is not the loss of dedication and commitment but the loss of emotional or physical energy. A bivocational minister must take charge of his own well-being. Here are some tips on staying fit and fresh.
1. Learn how to feed the preacher
In the average church one can frequently hear comments about who is "feeding the preacher" this Sunday or at other times as well. Potluck meals have destroyed the waistline of many preachers. While the ladies of the church mean well, you must set some bounds on your eating. Crash dieting is usually counter productive. The best approach is to eat healthy: cut out junk food, slow down of desserts, eat fruits, vegetables and salads, do not eat between meals, eat your last meal before 6:00 PM if possible and do not go back for seconds.
2. Exercise regularly
Most ministers spend too much time sitting. Whenever possible take the stairs instead of the elevator. Find an exercise routine you like and stick with it. Walking at a brisk pace for two or three miles is a great way to get to exercise. It is also a good time for your and your mate to share with each other. Do not get discouraged if you miss a day or so. Get back up and go on with your plan. Try to get some exercise at least 3-5 times a week.
3. Keep your emotional bank balanced
All of us have an emotional bank. If you make all withdrawals and no deposits you will become overdrawn. Jesus told his disciples to come apart awhile and rest. If we do not come apart for a while after a while we will come apart.
4. Learn to relax and rest
It is not unspiritual to play golf, go fishing, watch a ballgame or do whatever it takes to get your mind off of your work and let yourself relax. The toll that stress takes on the body of the average minister is tremendous. Most of us need to learn how to laugh and have fun again. Taking a good family vacation can be one of the best things you do for yourself and your family. You will be much more effective when you go back to your church and work.
5. Work from a priority list
A major source of stress for the bivocational minister is ending a day without completing everything you had planned to do. This is a very common experience. The best way to handle this is to start each day with a priority list. Place the items on the list in order of importance. Check off each one as it is completed. Even if you do not finish the list by the end of the day you have a sense of accomplishment over what you did do. The next day you start with a new list with the items left over at the top or in order of importance. This will help you to become more organized and reduce your stress level.
6. Maintain personal devotions
An important part of staying spiritually fresh is to maintain your own personal devotions. The temptation is to spend all your time in sermon and lesson preparation and neglect your personal devotions. If you are not fresh spiritually your preaching will not be fresh. It is very important that you always feed your soul first. Much of your preaching will come out of the overflow of what God is saying to you.
7. Find a prayer partner
If you can find a prayer partner who is available for you to share whatever is on your heart, you will discover this to be a tremendous source of help and blessing. This person usually does not need to be one of your church members for obvious reasons. It is best to find a fellow pastor who shares most of the same pressures you do. A burdened shared is a lighter load. Having someone to pray with regarding the things you are facing will strengthen you to face tomorrow.