David C. Alves's Blog, page 10

Speakers for Book Clubs – Yes or No?

Should your book reading group invite outside speakers? Here I’m thinking of visiting authors, publishing experts, librarians, and other book related speakers.

Each group should develop a policy. Why? Because everyone and his brother has a writer or would-be author in the family. Someone always knows someone who knows someone.

This can work to your advantage as a group, or it could open the tent flap just enough that the primadonna camel gets her head inside. When that happens, it’s not long before the rest of the camel comes in. Then Shelly wants to know why her aunt, who wrote a family history, can’t come in since April’s sister got to speak to the group. After all, an author’s an author. Then feelings get hurt, someone takes an offense, and the group is in turmoil.

If you know in advance whether you like camels and want to have them in your tent (which may be great) then your life will be much simpler. And there are camels and there are CAMELS.

A good, experienced camel, err . . . speaker or author of a book you’re reading could be a great enhancement to your group. A developmental editor can give your group real insight into the process that a book passes through to even make it into your hands to read. Or these guests could bore you to death. Make sure that if the group allows visitors from the publishing world, that they add value to the group.

So . . . decide on a speaker policy. Then, if you will invite speakers, try to get a few references [unless you're sure that the speaker will add value to your group because of who is recommending him or from his already established reputation].

A speaker policy will save you lots of grief later and keep those valuable friendships intact.

QUESTION: Does your reading/book group have a speaker policy? What experiences have you had with guest speakers?

©2013, David C Alves

Follow @davidcalves

Filed under: Bits and Pieces, Consider It, FOR READERS

Do’s and Don’ts of Facilitating a Reading Group Meeting

So, you’re either already in a reading group and have responsibility to host or facilitate; OR you’ve been thinking about starting a reading club or group but have been unsure about where to begin; OR you’ve happened upon this post by accident and can’t wait to browse some other posts here or elsewhere . . . .

BUT WAIT!!

Whether you’re a reader of not, if you have any kind of small group meeting in your home or if you ever plan to host such a group, hang in here for a few more paragraphs and see if you can use some of this stuff. It comes from decades of experience at facilitating small groups and will save you tons of anxiety and conflict as you facilitate your reading group.

Since it says so in the title, I’m going to assume this is a reading group we have responsibility for. Ready?

DO establish Group Rules/Guidelines. Some groups fail to do this and end up paying the price down the road. Even though we tend to hate rules, they help everyone know what’s expected and agreed upon. Therefore they lend stability and a level of predictability to the group experience. These in turn help the group cohere

Group rules/guidelines should be decided upon by the group for ownership. There’s always somebody who will conflict with the rules unless they understand that it’s not just you as facilitator/leader that has decided upon the standards, but the entire group that has set the standards in place. If we weren’t such easily offended, touchy, literary types, this would not be an issue, but this is 21st century America. In addition, people like to know what’s expected and allowed.

Housekeeping Items to share with the group should be shared up front. These can include things like deciding whether you’ll meet at the same place every week, or rotate through the homes of those who volunteer to open their
Meeting Times - Decide at the first meeting if the beginning and ending times work out for everyone. Set times that all can agree upon. Then KEEP THEM!!
Begin on time. This is important. Plan 15 minutes up front to catch up, banter. But begin on time! This is the right place to say END ON TIME too. I’ll hit this one more time later in case you’ve forgotten by the time you go through this post of do’s and don’ts.
ALL Cell phones OFF (or set to Airplane mode) - This is REALLY important. Far too many people are tied to their cell phones as though they were umbilical cords. Most people do not need to be immediately available. Unless you’re Secret Service, a brain surgeon on call, or a Navy Seal on active alert, you can probably go without the cell phone for an hour and a half.
Provide a comfortable circle – Set up chairs so that you are in a circle. Try not to have too many hard chairs. Do you to strait to the hard chair to plant yourself for the next hour?
Eliminate distractions – Don’t allow for ringing phones, howling dogs, demonized cats, parrots that quote Shakespeare. Some distractions can be very cute, but over the long haul, people will begin to drop out and you’ll never understand why. If your husband does Elvis impressions, ask him to perform in “the meeting AFTER the meeting”–when those who wanted to, have been able to spare themselves by way of a hasty departure
Decide ahead of time about refreshments – Does the host home provide them all? Or do you rotate who brings them to the meeting place.

DO Establish “House rules.” These are the guidelines/rules that hosting home or establishment sets out for the group. The group should determine if this is a house group or a group that meets in public (e.g. at Starbucks or Joe’s Bagel Emporium). If in public, make sure you (or someone) has talked to the manager or asst. manager to find out what their expectations are. Work within them and you may have a great experience. You’ll be happy and they’ll be happy to have a regular group of customers.

If your reading group will meet in a home–your home–unapologetically lay out your expectations. After all, this is YOUR house. You are sharing it with your fellow readers, but they are not renting the space. They are in your home. You can expect them to understand that you really don’t want smoking in your home or dirty shoes on the wall-to-wall white carpeting in your formal living room. Or on the imported Persian rug in your library. If you’re unsure about what guidelines you’d like to establish, then seek out someone who’s experienced at hosting and they can give you a heads up on what you might realistically expect.

What about kids? Will they be attending since some of your readers may be single moms or dads?What about your own kids? Will they be allowed to interrupt the group whenever they want attention or another glass of chocolate milk (part of the problem already perhaps)? Some parents of young children seem clueless when it comes to allowing their children too much freedom to be front and center. I’ve heard every excuse for why continual attention-grabbing is ignored or dismissed by some parents. Be honest with one another and discuss how children will or will not fit into the plan. We have found that a babysitter, or older sibling–paid for by the group–is often the perfect solution. We put a love-bowl on the table and even the parents who don’t have children present usually give generously and the babysitter goes home happy too.
Provide Orientation – which door do you normally use? Let them know. Show them the bathrooms. Let them know if nothing but paper goes down the toilets please. Is it OK to get a glass of ice water or do you have a special time for “snacks & refreshments?” Anything they  should know about parking? You get the picture.
Purchase Helpful Resources – You might like to purchase some resources in the form of reference books to have on had for your meetings. Have Helpful Resources on hand (see my “5 Helpful Resources Every Book Club Should Own”).
End on time. I repeat this because it’s very important. Better to have them leaving and wanting more than to have them continually fidgeting and glancing between your clock and their phones. You can always end on time and announce that whoever would like can mill around another half-hour. So now, I’ll lead by example. THE END.

QUESTION: What are some DO’s and DON’Ts you have discovered from your experience in a Reading Group/Club?

© 2013, David C Alves

Follow @davidcalves

Filed under: Books, FOR READERS, How to's

The Real Warfare is Spiritual

Human beings live in an active spiritual war zone. All humans live on enemy held territory. How did this happen?

First, a quick word about “Dualism” so that you do not get confused. Dualism is the view that two equal but opposite intelligent, uncreated powers inhabit our universe and war against one another. In Dualism, one power is good and one equal power is bad. They have been opposed throughout eternity and neither has won. Here and there they have a loss and then a victory over the other. Some people choose the good power and some choose the evil. Though some untaught people believe that this is what Christianity believes, it does not. Dualism is completely foreign and contrary to biblical Christianity.

The biblical Christian knows that the two powers that war against one another are nowhere near equal. One is Creator. That would be God. The other is a created being. That would be satan or the devil (not the cultural devil of red union-suit, pitchfork. horns, and tail fame). Satan was created for a purpose which he chose to abandon. He is far below God in power, authority, and ability. He rebelled against God and drew other angelic powers after himself. They warred in heaven against God’s loyal powers.

The spirit-dimensional beings that fell in rebellion are now demons. Demonic powers are mainly disembodied, though they seek human habitation and animate some humans. Demonized humans are willingly and/or unknowingly used by these powers to wage war both on those who do not serve their cause and on those in fellowship with Christ.

Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul wrote of these supernatural beings:

Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

We realize that the jihadists are animated by demonic powers. So the real war is against spiritual forces. Only those who are equipped to wage war spiritually will be victorious. The majority of people are clueless. Most of them have allied with Satan. A few serve the true and only King.

Jesus said:

Matthew 7:13–14 (ESV)

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

In the excellent 2012 movie, “Act of Valor,” one of the Navy Seals presents a toast to his Seal team as they are gathered informally around a fire the night before their deployment. He lifts his glass and says, “To all those who have been downrange. To us and those like us . . . damn few.”

Genuine followers of Jesus Christ, who understand their calling to displace demonic evil,  have been “downrange” in the spiritual warfare. And we are precious few.

I have seen the joy in the face of a woman who was delivered from a demon. Before her deliverance, the demonic spirit caused her eyes to roll back in her head and her body to go stiff as a plank. I have seen the result when I confronted a violent man bent on attacking me. In Jesus’ name, I commanded the violent spirit controlling him to be bound. He and his friend turned from me and couldn’t leave the scene fast enough. The terror of Christ filled them and overpowered that violent spirit animating them. I’ll never forget the look of fear on their faces.

Like it or not, this warfare is real. And we believers have not only authority but the assignment and responsibility to confront and displace demonic powers by the authority of Christ. We are sons of the Kingdom—the “sons of God.” We are with Jesus and we gather with him.

Luke 11:23 (ESV)

23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Revelation 6:15–17 (ESV)

15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Christ, the Lamb of God, will destroy Satan and all the demons that currently traffic with humans. To destroy Satan and his powers is to destroy the spirit of murder and terror.

This is the war we fight. Our spiritual battle is not against people, but against the spirits that animate them and use them to champion evil until Christ returns. We have authority over these demonic beings only because Christ gave it to us (Luke 10.19). It is our assignment to crush them through intercession and the command of Christ as we stand in our authority to displace darkness and the demonic:

Luke 10:17–24, ESV

     The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

Followers of Jesus, do not give up. Fight the good fight of the faith  You will be victorious. For nothing can succeed against the Church–the body of Christ. We will sit enthroned with Christ to pass judgment on these beings and send them to their final and ultimate eternal destruction. In Christ we have the victory!

© 2013, David C Alves

Related articles

Stand Up and Fight Back – Book Review (rebeccaaarup.com)
A Stealth Spiritual Warfare Weapon Satan Can’t Stand/Includes Jentezen Franklin – The King Has One More Move (vineoflife.net)


Filed under: Consider It, Insights, Signs of the Times

Are you Led or Pushed?

What a great day! What a beautiful morning. I slept until 9:15. Got up. Showered and shaved. Groomed my beard and hair. And dressed. Then went into the Cave and began a Custom Scan of my Cave computer. After that, I carried the laundry down for Marcy, greeted the ladies in my household, and went to my office downstairs. I made some coffee (haven’t had any yet, turned on the computer, scanned through my emails and answered a couple, then set up for my morning of writing to follow my first cup of coffee and prayer. So far . . . A wonderful, and joyful start to the day.

I love spending quiet, alone time with my Father. That comes with my first cup of coffee. I have a little sitting area, where I light my candle (inviting the Holy Spirit to make me aware of his presence and considering the flame as the ever burning love between me and Jesus). Then I sit with him in quiet for a season, mainly to still my mind. Sometimes I read a text of Scripture with that theme of quieting myself and being still before Him.

Once I’m quieted in his love and presence, I become spiritually Alert, sensitive, listening, waiting. I usually have a devotional reading and a book that I will go to if I don’t feel too much push toward it. I say “Push” because I’m always alert to anything that feels like a “push” to have to accomplish something. That is usually a sign that something in me is opposing the quiet and leading of the Spirit.

The Lord never pushes me . . . He LEADS me. He is in front, not behind. Sometimes he’s along side. But He has NEVER pushed me. He Draws. He leads. He sends. He walks beside. He walks ahead. He abides in one place with me. But He never rides me nor leads from behind.

That is one of the ways I recognize the voice of my Shepherd. “My sheep know my voice . . . And they will not FOLLOW another,”  Jesus said in John 10. Are you one of his sheep? If you have been drawn by him and if you have the high privilege of being one of his sheep, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. If not, then you have something to look forward to. And you will find Him when you search for Him with all your heart. You will find it when you are willing to give everything for the remarkable, wonderful joy of knowing Him–the Shepherd of your soul–Jesus of Nazareth . . . Risen from the dead. Alive and looking for you.

So I guess my day is going to be another adventure. Whether good things or bad things happen (for there is no guarantee that we will not suffer) He is with me and I am with Him. My day is in his hands. And as he takes my hand with his, He will lead me through whatever lies ahead. All in all . . . I’d say that’s a great day!

©2013, David C Alves

Follow @davidcalves

Filed under: Journal Entries, ON THE JOURNEY, REFLECTIONS

Back From My Internet Fast

You may recall that back in late October, I made plans to go on an internet fast for the month of November. I wrote a post about it: Taking An Internet Break. Anyhow, I’m back and want to share with you some of what I experienced and learned.

But first . . . an apology. For those of you who subscribed to my blog on Kindle, and for those who looked forward to reading here at “David’s Place,” I apologize for not returning on Dec. 1 as I had originally intended. That becomes part of my story too. I really do appreciate EVERY reader, and I value your time.

So, I took a much-needed break from my blog, Facebook, Buffer, Twitter, and the endless writing and posting that goes with all that. Not to mention, the research and reading across the blogosphere to bring you the best that I can deliver when I write. (I’m sure some of you can identify)

The first week, I felt as though I didn’t know what to do with the time . . . WRONG!  I’ve always been the kind of person who knows exactly what I will do when I retire. I knew that in Jr. High. Now I’m close to the age where retirement might be expected. So, I had no writer’s block or confusion over what to do with my time. I began by creating a reading list on GoodReads. If you haven’t discovered Goodreads, you owe it to yourself–unless you’re already on LibraryThing. (I think there’s a post that you could write if you’re familiar with BOTH of them. Love to see a comparison review of the two sites and their features. Anyone game?)

Anyhow, I developed a “to-read-next” shelf on GoodReads. And I methodically began to read.

I also spent more time with people . . . face-to-face. I met them for breakfast.

Then I decided to go paperless and scan everything into OneNote 2010. I wrote a blog post that gives more particulars. But if you’re not already scanning your stuff into OneNote or EverNote, then you have something to look forward to. Love that I can retrieve it instantly once it’s scanned in.

So I spent more time quietly reflecting on the Bible. Listening to the Lord, journaling, and contemplating also filled the time I would have been using to surf Facebook and Twitter.

I made a couple of decisions too:

No more mindless scanning of the Facebook news feed. I look for high value friends and family shares and comments.
I’m keeping a lower profile. It takes less time and effort. I have more readers now then when I was spending hours tweeting, posting, and interacting online.
I want to post less often, but with improved content–making my contributions more worthy of my readers’ time.
My days begin with prayer and writing. ALL social interaction and email is after 12 noon.
Only give 2 hrs a day to the internet (unless doing special research).
Enjoy more face-time with people.

These choices will improve my quality of life, as well as my personal relationships. That’s what I did and learned on my social networking fast.

By the way, I can now highly recommend a TWO MONTH fast from social networking and book marketing for you authors. Write more.

My next fast? I’m going to try fasting for a month from my Smartphone. It’s way too much a new appendage and needs to be pushed back into balance.

©2013, David C Alves

Follow @davidcalves

Related articles

How Do You Know When You’re Overdosing On Social Networks? (makeuseof.com)
Pittsburgh pastor wants social media fast for Lent (sfgate.com)
Cyber-Pessimism (journalism176.wordpress.com)
GoodReads, A Resource for Booklovers (atlantareader.wordpress.com)


Filed under: Bits and Pieces, Consider It, ON THE JOURNEY, REFLECTIONS

What Makes Islam a Threat to a Pluralistic Society?

Recently, I was interviewed by my brother on “The Ken Zone”–a local cable program broadcast in Western Massachusetts.

I share what I’ve gleaned from my research, study, and My 10 Best Resources on the Islamization of the World. Most of what I share was taught by those Muslims who have escaped Islam’s grip and share at the risk of their lives.

Filed under: In the News, Islamization, Signs of the Times, Videos

Complaint Department: Closed Indefinitely

Reblogged from Marcy's Walk:

Do you ever find yourself complaining to the Lord? Did I hear you say “frequently”? What if He just stopped listening to your complaints? Or maybe that’s the very thing you are complaining about – that feeling that God is not listening. Or if He is, He is not responding.

We’ve all been in that place before. That place of doubt. 

Read more… 1,070 more words

This post is important.

2012 in Review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for “David’s Place.”

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 20,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 5 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

Filed under: Bits and Pieces, Consider It, In the News, Recommended Resources

ONE MISSION —The Ultimate Christmas Shopping Experience REVISITED

[This is a revision and reprint of a Post I do each Christmas season]

ONLY 10 MORE DAYS till CHRISTMAS!!  

Prepare yourself for the BEST CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE EVER HAD!!

My friend Ken has forever solved the Christmas shopping dilemma for me (and those like me who dislike Christmas shopping).

Here’s how it works.

1. Make sure that you understand the strategy: ONE DAY, ONE PURPOSE, ALL ALONE. That’s the ONE MISSION. {Repeat out loud 4 times, then Memorize}

2.  Set ONE DAY–a full day, morning till evening—one full day—for you to spend ALL ALONE at the stores. Plan on being out from 8am to 9pm. Make sure your spouse and family know that you won’t be home for any meals that day. You may not need ALL that time, but plan for it in case. This day may be AFTER Christmas instead of before Christmas. After all, most of the sales follow Christmas. For some, that can add even more enjoyment to the Mission. If you choose the after-Christmas option, then give cards to people that say “Gift Coming Soon.” And give them their gifts a couple of days AFTER Christmas.

3. Remember, ONE PURPOSE—You can’t have anything scheduled that day that would cause you to have to rush or hurry. You have ONE PURPOSE–to buy ALL your Christmas presents at one sweep. Don’t let anything push or pull you. Relax, take your time. Shop all you want. You have no pressing engagements.

4.  Bring Music! Several days prior to the target-day, equip yourself with a music listening device and make sure that you select holiday music that you love to listen to that quiets your busy spirit. This is an essential ingredient. If you say that you’ll do without the music, then Ken (and I) cannot guarantee the results of your experience. We both agree that without the Christmas music, your mission falls short. It’s not just about gifts and shopping; it’s about refreshment, joy, and praise too.

5. Dress comfortably. Layers are best. You can always shed or add on by going to the car. Don’t bundle up—you’ll be too hot. Don’t wear to little—you’ll be too cold.  You get the point.

6. You take your meals out, beginning with a good breakfast [this one meal you can do with a good friend who is also on his/her ONE MISSION that day]. Today you want a Farmer’s breakfast–two eggs, homefries, short stack of pancakes or French toast, steak (if you must), baked beans if you can get them.

The strategy here: breakfast is the least expensive meal of the day.

Eat a big one. Less spent later on lunch and dinner. Maybe no lunch at all!  I can already see your wheels turning: (well, I’ll eat breakfast at home, pack a lunch and save money that way). Nice try!!

The problem here?  You just RUINED the reward system that is built into this day where you not only get all your shopping done in ONE DAY, but . . . you also get rewarded with a memorable experience (and a little well-deserved break from fixing your own meals).  So don’t cheat at this point. Breakfast, AND dinner while out shopping are a must if you’re going to be a purist of the ONE MISSION this Christmas season. Lunch is optional, depending upon how much walking you do. More walking and exercise, more reward (if you reward yourself with food–probably not a good idea). Follow your mentors on this one–we’ve been there, done that, got the T-Shirt! Big breakfast, mid-day snack, special dinner.

7. Now, beginning with your list, TAKE YOUR TIME in the stores. You’re in NO HURRY. You have no place other than the present [no pun intended] to be.

You’re listening to nice music. You can smile at people. Be nice to the store clerks. So what if someone cuts ahead of you in line. Smile, and enjoy your music and think about that steak/lobster you’re going to have for dinner later. A lobster that you don’t have to cook. Someone else is going to cook and serve you tonight. You’re just working down your Christmas list.

8. Make sure that you take extra money along for gift-wrapping.

No matter what you have to do, make SURE that the gift-wrapping people at the mall wrap your gifts for you. Not only does this save you an extra day, but . . . they do a nice job, your gifts will look nicer,

the ladies who serve you will get a little extra for their trouble (tip them, it’s nice), and you’ll be able to arrive at home without the stress of wondering where to hide your newly purchased gifts. You won’t

have to struggle with finding an extra day to set aside for wrapping. Oh . . and who has to go to buy wrapping paper, scotch tape, pens, labels, sharpen scissors . . . get the point [no pun intended]??

9. This is not Ken’s, but my own added little tip: Make sure you get a Café Vanilla Frapaccino at Starbucks (size is immaterial, although on a day like this, I prefer Venti, (1700 calories) with an extra shot of espresso—not that I need the caffeine, but I love that coffee flavor with the Vanilla and the calories will keep you going the rest of the afternoon and evening; you might even be tempted to skip dinner).  I normally arrive at Starbuck’s at about 3pm, when I hit that afternoon slump for about an hour, where I just want to sleep. By the way, if you get tired, no problem. Grab a quick nap in the car.

10. ESSENTIAL—keep the negative self-talk to an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM. No self-deprecating stuff:

“Well who’s going to want that?”

“Why would you ever pick that color?”

“No one’s going to buy you anything this nice.”

“All that money you spent today could have housed and fed the poor of Detroit or Rwanda”

“If you weren’t so chunky, you wouldn’t be whining about carrying these packages.”

Just say, “Quiet!!  Wrong Address. I’m not listening to you . . . “ OR hold your hand out in front of you at arms length and say, “Talk to the hand!” Don’t worry about appearances. No one will think anything of it. Remember, you’re at the mall!

Oh yeah, and if you work a job where you get tips, set your  ONE DAY as close to Christmas (before or after) as possible (more time to accrue more tips).

And . . . enjoy yourself!!

You might want to bookmark and take along this post in your smartphone or iPhone so that you can review it or read it for encouragement at breakfast or dinner.

OK? REPEAT AFTER US: ONE DAY . . . ONE PURPOSE . . . ALL ALONE = ONE MISSION!

Make Ken and I PROUD!

P.S. Make sure to report back to us. How’d it go?

Filed under: Consider It, How to's

Sabbatical: The Missing Link for Churches and Pastor – 4

Part 4 of 4 – Read Part 1 first

How effective are sabbaticals for pastors?

That depends upon three factors:

Are the pastor & church committed to God’s perspective of Sabbath rest? Some pastors will have to be convinced that they need a sabbatical, especially those who are extreme people-pleasers and Type A’s who push themselves and everyone around them. They need to be loved enough to be held accountable by those who love them.
Are the pastor & church properly prepared? Unless BOTH pastor and church prepare and plan, the sabbatical will not be effective. It could even be a waste of time, money, and resources. The pastor must prepare. The fellowship must prepare.

Pre-sabbatical planning
Post-sabbatical celebration

Because preparation differs for church and pastor, I have split them in two documents which will be available shortly. The titles are “A Sabbatical Primer for the Church” and “A Sabbatical Primer for the Pastor.” Church or pastor can download them from the Maranatha Conference website: MCACC.net [http://mcacc.net/]

3. Are the pastor & church in agreement about the terms?

A. Is the length of time adequate for replenishment and refreshment?

B. Will everyone involved help the pastor to not be in the loop while on sabbatical? Calling in to see how the recent board meeting went is NOT being faithful to the trust of the church. Nor is informing the pastor that Mr. Jones decided to quit because the pastor went on sabbatical. Other leadership (local, conference, or regional) can be called upon and can handle church issues in the pastor’s absence.

CONCLUSION

The problem facing churches and pastors in the 21st Century is complex and widespread, but the solution is simple. If you read and act upon the content of this article, it will positively impact you for increased Kingdom effectiveness and spiritual longevity. By caring for the shepherds, you care for yourselves. Healthy pastors lead healthy churches. By embracing the value of “Sabbath,” both pastors and churches will fulfill their callings, honor Christ, and leave a legacy worthy of God.

Related Reading:

10 Reasons Why Pastors Leave the Ministry,  by Jim Fuller <http://pastoralcareinc.com/MR/Books/EBooks.php>


Pastor’s Lifeline statistics: http://maranathalife.com/lifeline/stats.htm


Michael Hyatt’s post, Should You Dare to Take a Sabbatical? / http://michaelhyatt.com/should-you-dare-to-think-about-a-sabbatical.html


Articles at Maranatha Conference’s MCACC.Net [http://mcacc.net/]


Leading On Empty, Wayne Cordeiro. Bethany House, 2009. Must reading. http://www.amazon.com/Leading-Empty-Refilling-Renewing-Passion/dp/0764203509


David’s Place, “Solitude, Silence, and Simplicity” / http://davidcalves.com/2011/03/07/solitude-silence-and-simplicity/

This is the end of a 4 part series. Please share the series with others.

©2012, David C Alves  All rights reserved.

First published by permission in The Witness, Winter 2012 by Advent Christian General Conference USA.

Related articles

Pastor Appreciation: Saying “Thanks” (marcyda.wordpress.com)
The satisfaction of ministry (bluechippastor.org)
Get Rid of Your Pastor (turningplace.wordpress.com)
Dangerous Calling (pjcockrell.wordpress.com)


Filed under: Health and Wellness, Insights, LIFE COACHING, ON THE JOURNEY