Lessons I am learning from my Sabbattical Part 4

I feel like I am in a huge season of change right now. God is working me over on the inside and it's starting to come out. I have heard it said before, that as the church grows the leader must go to the next level of growth in his/her leadership. Well, I am really being pushed into the uncomfortable, into areas that I'm not used to.


Recently I met with Bishop James from Africa. He said to me, "Pastor Chris, the main barrier to a church growing is the leader." WOW! What a statement. If LifeQuest is going to reach more people and see more lives changed, I have to grow.

SO, lesson 4 of what I am learning from my sabbatical is this, drum roll please...I need to get out of the way and let others lead. I'm only gifted at a few areas and I'm certainly NOT gifted at everything that the church needs. I'm finding my sweet spot in this season of life and church life.

Honestly, it feels awkward at best. Realizing that if I will grow in this area, it will release unbelievable potential in the life of our church and my own personal life.

What things in your life need to change as you go to the next level? New levels bring new devils. We'll save that for another blog post.

Lessons I am learning from my Sabbattical Part 3

The other day I almost ran out of gas. Now before I left my house I knew that the gas gauge was getting really low and I thought to myself, "I will stop and fuel up at the next gas station." Well like all of us, I got busy thinking about other things and started taking phone calls and txt's (not while I was driving of course:) Then all of a sudden my car started to sputter and luckily I was by a QT.

One of the lessons God has been teaching over the past 9 years is "Chris, pay attention to your emotional gauge." When it comes to burn out in ministry this is the one gauge that gets ignored the most, yet it is also the one gauge that causes ministers (and really all of us) to go off the deep end in life.

Your emotional gauge is different than your physical, spiritual & relational gauges. It's the one gauge that can only be filled up by what makes you unique. In other words, what do I do that helps relax and enjoy life? The answer is different for everyone. For some it might be golfing (I tried that and it's not for me YET), exercising, reading, hanging with friends or family what ever it is in your life that you need to make sure you are doing it on a regular basis so that your emotional tank doesn't get depleted.

For me many times I have let the work of ministry RUN my life and I was depleted emotionally. Hey if you and I aren't healthy emotionally, how in the heck can we lead others into emotional health? These days I am building things into my life that fills my emotional tank. It's a lot of fun and I am enjoying life and handling stress better than ever before. I am a NEW MAN! You can be too.

I highly recommend you read Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro. It's one of the best reads on this subject matter. If you are a member of a church but not a pastor, honor your pastor and buy them a copy. It will change your life and theirs IF APPLIED :)

Lessons I am learning from my Sabbattical Part 2

During the first week I literally slept more than I have in my whole entire life. I have never been one to sleep a lot but the first week I was sleeping in every day and loving it. No responsibilities, no meetings, no leaders to encourage and motivate, no sermons to prepare, no problems to solve (at least at the church :) , no marriages to fix, absolutely Nothing. I rested and didn't feel guilty or anxious. Then it hit me, "I didn't know I was this tired."

Really, I had no idea that I was as tired as I was. Then I began thinking about the fact that if we are running our lives and our ministries on fumes and we are tired, then God is not going to be able to use us to our FULL potential.

When you and I are well rested we are a powerful force in the hands of the Almighty God! I am healthier today than I was six weeks ago. I am eatting better, trying to spend more time with my family and God! Taking time to enjoy life is what I'm about during this season in life.

Now, that doesn't mean that I'm not intense and that I sit around all day and do nothing. Really quite the opposite. I'm getting more done now than ever before with a Focus on what I can do and what I need to delegate. It's freeing.

My goals these days, is to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Also I'm paying attention to the my emotional gage which I will talk about tomorrow.

I Miss you LifeQuest

I am really enjoying my sabbatical. This is the first time in my life that I have unplugged and have really done nothing except spend time with my family and tend to my heart a little more closely. I can't wait to get back though. This past Sunday I visited two churches in K.C. where the pastor is a good friend of mine. Learning a ton. BUT I know that you are in good hands with the leaders that are @ LifeQuest Church.

Here's just some of what I've learned so far during the sabbatical: ( I am only going to list them. You know me, when I get back I will go into detail)

1. I didn't realize how tired I really was. I have slept in more than in other time in my life. I don't feel guilty either.

2. My time with Jesus has suffered with the busyness of life. I am having to reprioritize my life.

3. Writing a book takes a lot of time and is more difficult than I had thought.

4. My family has really enjoyed a low key life. Most of the time we are on the go.

5. My creative juices have to be recharged by changing scenery or even my daily routine. Other wise you get stale.

6. I've realized just how fast a day can go by without taking advantage of it. And when it's gone it's gone.

Just some thoughts in my heart and mind right now. I can't wait to all of you on August 9th.