tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8836404.post384973338497940990..comments2023-10-28T11:47:10.036-05:00Comments on the thin paper vault: Unproductive MondaysMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09236978765342471022noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8836404.post-36651372497222922482009-06-23T11:00:14.634-05:002009-06-23T11:00:14.634-05:00There are going to be times and seasons when you w...There are going to be times and seasons when you will be so busy as a pastor that you'll wonder how you ever wondered what to do with your time. So, at these slow times I'd suggest you just take it easy. <br /><br />We pastors have some flexibility with our workdays. When you become a parent it means that you might be able to attend school functions that other parents who punch a clock can't do. When it's a beautiful day and you have no looming deadlines and no scheduled meetings, go for a walk or a bike ride, lie on a blanket in your backyard or in a park reading a book. Go home early and cook a nice supper.<br /><br />Because there will be weeks when you've got two funerals, a wedding, Sunday worship, hospital calls, council meeting, committee meetings, and you'll be stressed out and won't find time to spend with your husband and then come down with a cold. Knowing that it will balance itself out eventually with those cricket-chirping quiet days will help you get through those kinds of weeks.<br /><br />Our synod recommends that pastors get two days off each week. Most people get a two day weekend, so why shouldn't we? I've always taken Friday and Saturday as my weekend. Sure, funerals and weddings happen occasionally. On those occasions I make a mental note (if not a physical note) to make up the day off that I lost at another time. It might be when I go along on one of my kids' school field trips. It might just be one of those slow days that I decide I can afford to take a day to relax or work on some project at home.<br /><br />You'll figure out how to schedule your time as you live and grow into your vocation and your job. Because being a pastor is both. It's a calling but it's also a job. You also have a calling as a wife and sister and daughter and friend. Those callings deserve and need your time and your attention as well. Start good habits in your time management and self-care right now as you're beginning your life in pastoral ministry so that you don't have to break bad habits in the future or change peoples' expectations when they've gotten used to running your life and schedule the way they want.<br /><br />ShalomTom in Ontariohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12154434042794825551noreply@blogger.com