J.R. Briggs

10 keys to being a healthy pastor

July 18, 2011

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Todd Rhodes had some good reflections on healthy rhythms of a pastor. Simple yet wise words.

1. Let God restore your soul daily.

• Psalm 23. Matthew 11:28.

• Worship. Prayer. Solitude. Listening. Bible reading.

2. Give your marriage priority attention.

• A bad marriage ruins the rest of life. (Remember the Proverbs.)

• A good marriage fortifies you for the rest of life.

• Is your home a tunnel of chaos or an oasis of rest?

3. Work with your personal rhythms.

• For me: start early, try and leave early.

• Creative work in the mornings.

• Between 4-7 p.m.: not my best time for mental focus.

4. Keep your Sabbath rest.

• A principle of creation: rest one day in seven.

• Sabbath is a day to pray and play.

5. Do the things only you can do – and delegate the rest.

• Be ruthless in simplifying your work.

• Empower others!

• Take some time now to save much time later.

6. Focus on results, not time at work.

• The point is not to clock your time but to get things done.
• Focus on your highest impact activities.

• Managers do things right. Leaders do the right things.

7. Get regular exercise.

• For me: weight lift and cardio 4-5 times per week

• If you are healthier and fit, you can work harder and you will last longer.

• Exercise is a huge stress reliever.

8. Ask for help.

• Secrets are dangerous.
• Need help? In the last 18 months, has a trusted person told you, “I think you need to talk to somebody about that.” If the answer is yes, get help.
• Every prominent Christian leader and pastor I know, regularly visits a counselor. It is okay to ask for help.

9. Let God heal your anger.

• Ask God to show you … heal you.

• Ask a close friend if you seem angry.

• Consider: Elder prayer, counseling, talking with an insightful friend.

10. Don’t be crushed by criticism.

• Consider the source.

• Be willing to receive criticism from trustworthy people – people who are for you, who are insightful, who are not negative.

• Consider if you are a pleaser. Galatians 1:10

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