Letters to Chris: Continuation #2

 

Dear Chris,

I am glad you’re okay with me sticking with the theme of continuation. But let me respond to your question, and make clear that I am not putting my ideas in a prescribed order. By the time we get to the end of the suggested means, you can arrange them in whatever way best helps you. And along the way, you will add to my examples with things of your own. Long-haul ministry must be cultivated within the uniqueness of our personhood and call.

With that said, I want to write about the importance of spiritual direction. I have discovered this in conversations with former students and other friends who have had directors over the years. They are all glad that they did, and in some cases, still do. Hearing their stories has convinced me that spiritual direction should be part of clergy education at the outset.

So yes, I would encourage you to experience spiritual direction for yourself. The LeaderWise ministry (www leaderwise.org) and Spiritual Directors International (www sdicompanions.org) are places to begin finding out more. SDI has a directory where you might find someone near you.

The second thing I would commend is you making a Rule of Life. If you do find a spiritual director, ask him/her/them to help you make one. But you can do it yourself as well. I like the Renovaré plan that Chris Webb writes about in his article, “How to Create a Rule of Life Based on the Six Streams (https://renovare.org/articles/rule-of-life-six-streams).

The third suggestion for continuing well is to have soul friends. Since you have told me that you are in a covenant group, I will just say, “Good for you.” The only thing I would add is that you can have good soul friends who are laity. That has been true for me since my early days in ministry.

Thirdly, build sabbath into your life as a formative pattern. Making a Rule of Life can help you do this. As a matter of course, make and keep your sabbath times as much as you do anything else you put into your schedule.

Finally, and this may be the most important thing of all, have a life larger than your ministry. I’ll go so far as to say, ministry is your work, not your life. Too many clergy have conjoined the two, and they are the lesser for it. I have made a fair share of mistakes along that line myself. So this final point comes from experience, not just observation. The healthiest clergy I know enjoy ample family times, have hobbies, and have meaningful activities that are not church-related.

Chris, when we are “in the zone” in these ways, our ministries will move along with meaning that includes wonderful experiences and happy times.

Blessings!  Steve