Recovering From the Christmas Rush
For many, work slows down during the Christmas season. Children are off school. College students are on semester break. Some businesses actually shut down in the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Many individuals simply use vacation or personal days.
Pastors don’t have that opportunity. Indeed, all the holiday festivities bring even more responsibilities. Extra services to lead. Special gatherings to attend. Benevolence needs to address.
I remember those pressures well. I also remember the short-sighted words offered by well-meaning congregants: “Pastor, I sure hope you can take some time off in these busy days.”
That just didn’t happen. It just couldn’t happen.
But what I discovered was that though I may not find time for respite during the Christmas rush, I needed to carve out some time for recovery after the Christmas rush.
So, as the season (mercifully!) comes to an end, what are some steps you can take?
Rest and Recuperate
Exhaustion will eventually catch up with you. Putting out so much energy (and putting out so many fires!), you will need to take some time to recoup.
To be sure, ministry doesn’t take a holiday. There will always be something happening at church. But we don’t rest because the work is done. We rest because it’s necessary for our sustainability.
We don’t rest because the work is done. We rest because it’s necessary for our sustainability.
In Mark 6:31, Jesus challenged His disciples, in the midst of heavy ministry demands, to come apart and rest for a while. He knew that if they didn’t come apart and rest, they’d simply come apart!
So, make a plan to take some extra time off after the Christmas rush. Delegate responsibilities to others for a short time. Take a break from the pulpit. Stay home from the office. Cancel all meetings. Don’t take any appointments. If your staff is large enough, assign a “pastor on call” and forward all requests to him/her.
Then be intentional to do things that give you life. Do you love woodworking? Do it! Do you love to be outdoors? Do it! That list of projects that “need to be done?” It can wait. This is a time for “get to,” not “have to.” Do what brings you joy.
You need time to rest – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. So, make the time for it. Don’t make excuses. Just do it.
Spend Time With Your Family
While other families often gathered together during their time away from work, your family was probably scrambling to make it to all the added church functions. And even when they didn’t have to attend them, you did!
So, now take some well-deserved time to focus on those closest to you. Go out on a date with your spouse. Your presence can be a great after-Christmas present. Take her to dinner. Catch a movie. Just spend time reconnecting.
If you are a parent, remember that you will not have your children at home with you forever. Make memories with them, even if it is just spending a day playing board games, building a snowman, or sharing special meals.
Read and Think
During the hectic holiday schedule, you may have spent all your time in sermon preparation and event planning. Use some time this week to catch up on your reading – both for work and fun.
I found that reading books that weren’t about church or ministry often triggered ideas that I could incorporate into church and ministry. Do some research on some of the best-sellers of the past year and dig into one.
Or make your way through an adventure novel or a mystery. I found that simply getting lost in a great book allowed my mind to wander into refreshing areas of thought.
Reflect on the Past Year
Maybe 2019 was the best year of ministry you’ve ever seen. Thank God for it. Maybe 2019 was a low point for you personally and in the ministry. Thank God for that, too.
Reflect on the good gifts He gave you. Remember the gifts that didn’t seem good at the time, but now you see them more clearly. Recognize those gifts that still don’t seem good but ask God to help you trust Him through it.
I found that recording these year-end thoughts in a journal provided all sorts of perspective regarding the past. And when reread a few years later they all sorts of perspective regarding the future.
Reflect on the past year and record your thoughts in a journal. It will provide all sorts of perspective regarding the past and the future.
Pray for the New Year
Before the new year brings new decisions, new opportunities, and new troubles… pray. Before 2020 even arrives, seek God’s face for how He wants to use you, your family, and your church.
You and I have no idea the circumstances that await us next year, but we worship a God who does. He knows and He is preparing us even now.
You and I have no idea the circumstances that await us next year, but we worship a God who does. He knows and He is preparing us even now.
Don’t ask God to bless your plans next year. Ask Him to direct your plans next year.
Don’t ask God to bless your plans next year. Ask Him to direct your plans next year.
Finally, in the quiet days after Christmas, take the opportunity to offer yourself and the next year to Christ. Make sure your relationship with Jesus is healthy and growing before you ask God to help you lead a healthy and growing church in 2020.
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