Posted by Heather Flies

When I think of all the things I do throughout an “average” day of ministry, there are things that energize me and things that suck energy right out of me. When I first started in ministry, I did a fantastic job of avoiding those energy-sucking things. Budgets, van reservations, calendar descriptions, and vision-planning meetings got pushed off so I could hang out with students and until my boss had sent me the second email reminder. I ended up creating more stress and more work for myself– and became even more bitter toward all those elements of my job.

I don’t want you to think I have been healed of my administrative/non-gifting avoidance disease, but I have figured out some practical steps to keep me sane… and employed.

* Get rid of the monster: If I have something non-fun or conflict oriented that I must do, I do it within the first hour of being in my office. I get rid of that big, looming monster so I can move on to more life-giving things.

* Administer the positive pep-talk: As I am going over the mission trip contributions or editing my summer camp manual, I say to myself (usually out loud) “This is all for the kids! Because you’re doing this, it’s going to be a better experience for the kids!” It may sound cheesy, but it works for me– I remind myself that it all blesses the kids in the end.

* Get out of the office: Many of us could be busy in our offices for days at a time– it takes being intentional to break out of that administrative grind and be with kids. As I look at my weeks, I make sure there are multiple one-on-ones with students, football games, musicals or lunches in school cafeterias. Even if it’s just a couple hours away, it refreshes my spirit and enables me to do the stuff that doesn’t.

* Surround yourself with people who ARE energized by the things you’re not: I don’t know what I would do without Amy’s efficiency with Excel spreadsheets! I love to see how Rick is energized by correcting essays for our 9th grade doctrinal class! It’s the Body Of Christ 101– God created us to be energized by our gifts– let people use their gifts and learn from them!

If I lived in a perfect ministry world, I would spend all my days floating on the Lazy River with kids at the water park, cheering at hockey games, and enjoying Coldstone with a struggling kid… but ministry is more than just those things and I want to be a well-rounded minister!