Reflecting

Last week, I attended the Chinook Winds Regional Clergy Retreat. Despite my initial lousy attitude, thinking it was just another obligation I didn't have time for, it was an excellent opportunity to rest, reflect, and play. 

Part of the retreat was to meditate on our calling. Why were called to ministry? Of course, I could tell you right away, as an ordained ministry, that I was called to Word, Sacraments and Pastoral Care. But that is the general call. Why did God call me to be a minister? 

There is no easy answer. 

Modern-day ministry doesn't look much like it did 50 years ago. The primary task of a minister 50 years ago was preaching and making congregational visits. Today, ministers are tasked with preaching, pastoral care, administrative duties, visioning, overseeing the building, support committees, finding volunteers, stewardship, church growth and more. 

The problem is I am not called to all of these tasks. While I am good at budgeting, I am not a firm administrator, and while I know my theology, I am not so great at stewardship. 

Reflecting on the moments in my ministry when I feel the most joy and fulfillment, I see teaching and pastoral care. 

The other problem is that ministers can get caught up in administrative tasks and forget to focus on their calling, leading to burnout. I might be guilty of this, and we may all be guilty of it.

We often get so caught up in parental duties that we forget to enjoy our children. We get so busy packing that our schedules are so full that we forget to stop to enjoy our favourite pastime. We get so caught up in the news we forget what really brings us joy. We retire and start volunteering at so many places that we get moody because we just want a break. 

I think we also get so busy with all the tasks at the church that we forget why we joined in the first place. We forget that the church is about nourishing our relationship with God and others, finding sanctuary in the busy world, not just another obligation. 

I have spent the past week reflecting on how to focus more on my calling and what renews my spirit. I am focusing on finding ways to let some tasks go so I can see more renewal in my calling and more joy. I invite you to do the same. What in your life brings you joy? What renews your spirit?


Blessings 

Rev. Kim 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Would Jesus Respond to the Chaos in the World Today?

Many of us may feel overwhelmed by the challenges posed by Trump and his team of billionaires, as well as certain economic issues in Canada and various global concerns. However, this current situation provides Christians an opportunity to express their authentic voices and emerge as a powerful force for good.  Here are some solutions, revised from a recent Broadview Magazine article*, on how Jesus might respond to the world today. 1. Be Bold.  Last week, in a touching inaugural prayer service, Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, D.C., reached out to Trump, encouraging him to show compassion for those affected by his policies. This courageous action speaks volumes and will certainly make an impact. For us in faith communities, it reminds us of the importance of engaging with our politicians and advocating for our values. Let’s unite with our friends from various denominations and faiths, as the time when a single church can affect change alone is over!...
Read more

Knowing When to Walk Away

I sometimes wonder why I write these posts. Often, I write them because I need a reminder of how to be a better person. Sometimes, I need this more than others, and this is one of those posts to remind me to be a better person. We can all agree that a lot is happening politically in the world right now; this is the understatement of the century! I find myself too often checking the news to see the latest drama. Yes, I care about politics; I vote but don't love drama. I deeply care about the people in this world, and I want some sort of peace. But what does that look like when surrounded by people who love drama? How do we ignore the current political climate and still care about what is happening worldwide? Last week, I found myself unfriending people on Facebook—people I have been friends with for a long time. I could not take their overly loud political views for one more second. I could have shut down social media and snoozed them for a few weeks, but no, I suddenly wa...
Read more

Self Compassion

This week hasn't been easy for me. I've been battling a pesky virus, which makes even the smallest tasks challenging. I feel a bit guilty about missing work and letting people down. I tend to be pretty hard on myself. I always strive to be the best version of myself, so when I fall short, I feel disappointed. However, when I see someone struggling or feeling unwell, I’m quick to offer them kindness and understanding. It’s amusing how we can be so much kinder to others than to ourselves. Self-compassion can be a tricky subject. If we indulge in it too much, we risk becoming self-absorbed. Nevertheless, most people find it difficult to grant themselves even a small amount of compassion. At its core, self-compassion is about mindfully treating ourselves with the same kindness and understanding we would extend to a friend facing difficulties. It means being gentle and supportive rather than harsh or overly critical when we make mistakes or feel inadequate. Research shows that pract...
Read more