First, sorry this post is coming up so late. Would you believe I forgot today was Wednesday? I live in the deep south, and the snow days last week along with the holiday this week confused my internal calender, I think. Sorry about that.
I think God had a great idea when He created the Sabbath and told us to rest. I really do. But you know as well as I do that it's just not possible for pastors to use Sunday as this day like most other Christians do. In fact, Sunday is probably the busiest day of the week for most pastors' families. But if any of y'all work, it's probably hard for you to find any other day that you and your whole family can rest together.
Thus, the need for vacation. We're taking one this summer, a loooooong one, and I'm so excited. Except for one thing. I know that even though we're using vacations days my husband has saved up, people are going to be upset that we'll be gone.
Why is this, do you think? I mean, logic tells you that without a break someone in a job like this will eventually burn out and just become exhausted. So you would think our congregation members would be pushing for a vacation, but I'm a little worried it's not going to be like that.
I don't have any profound wisdom on this topic, since this is really my first experience with it, so I guess I'm more curious to see if y'all do. How do you tell people you're going on vacation? Do you explain that you NEED one? Or do you just let the people who are going to be unhappy be unhappy?
I've love some thoughts on this. =)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Varland is a book-loving, outdoorsy pastor's wife from Georgia. When she’s not doing glamorous pastor’s wife duties, like squashing bugs and refilling toilet paper rolls, she loves to write, read, kayak and spend time with her husband and son. You can read more of her thoughts on life, books, and the ministry fishbowl at espressoinalatteworld.blogspot.com
The Pastor's Wife Speaks is a safe place for women living on the front lines of ministry to share and support each other. But you don't have to be married to a pastor to hang out here. Regardless of how you're connected to ministry, you are welcome. Enjoy and be blessed!
I hope that you come away from your vacation refreshed and ministered to...God Bless!
ReplyDeleteEdge of Your Seat Romance
I always think it's funny that people expect their pastors to be happy for them when they go on vacation and miss a Sunday or two, and when the pastor is away, they get all whiny and weird.
ReplyDeleteTwo thoughts: 1.Really promote and play up the time you're going to be away by having a special guest in, or some sort of "fun" activity folks can get involved in. 2. Pray, pray, pray before you go that there will be a special grace for the people, angelic protection, and supernatural safety and well-being while you are gone.
Ya know, I totally understand!! While we are vacationing, people call and problems happen, but ya know, it is a time to get away and allow others to take care of things. I think our church members should understand. And if they don't, that is ok, let them get happy in the same pants they got cranky! :)
ReplyDeleteIn our church, we TRY to make sure that we never only leave one minister here. (we have the blessing of having 4 full-time staff) So if even two of the guys are on vacation, there are two others to handle the fort!
Something I really enjoyed this past summer was learning about "sabbathing". Our youth group went to Tacoma, WA to work with Network for the Homeless and that was one of the biggest things i took away from the trip... learning to take time to rest. Even if "resting" involves 10 teenagers :) You cannot pour out your life unto others without taking time to be filled.