4 things.

I went on a staff retreat today up to a camp we recently took over in Big Bear. We talked about balancing ministry and our personal lives... which is never easy! Here is some stuff I learned today. 4 things that are essential to leadership and ministry. It's not easy to carve out time for each individual thing, but it is oh so necessary! If we are not ok emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually first and foremost, then we are laying a rough foundation for ourselves. It takes discipline to make sure you are doing these regularly, but in the long run, it is well worth it.

Emotional:

You need a plan to manage your time! Do you have time built into your schedule that is "free-time"? A time where you don't take phone calls, check your email, or tweet. I like to call this "Lissa time", where I have a chance to unwind, and make sure I am emotionally ok. Doing ministry can be exhausting if you don't give yourself a chance to breathe every once in a while. YES, people want your time and attention, but at some point you have to CLOCK OUT and spend some time with yourself. Figure out where your heart is at, if it's not ok, you need to make sure you give your self time to find out why, and to fix it. Do you carve out "your name here TIME" on a daily, weekly, monthly basis?

Physical:

Yes, everyone has heard since P.E. in 7Th grade that exercise is important, but as a society, we have forgotten that. 1 Corinthians 6:9 says, "your body is a temple... you are not your own" Are you taking care of the body that God has given you? Maybe you are not an athlete, or a hardcore workout fiend, so take a walk, ride your bike, do what you have to do to make sure you are active! Physical activity is a necessity. You will have more energy, and in the longer live a healthier life so that you can do God's work!

Mental:

Are you growing your knowledge of the Word, leadership, ministry, the world? Reading is essential to leadership. You might tend to lean towards authors that have the same perspective as you, but have you ever thought about those that don't? Or maybe leaders who aren't necessarily Christian, but still have insightful words about leadership or life in general (which of course you read with discernment) What are you reading to keep your perspectives fresh?

Spiritual:

If you are in a position of leadership or are working full time in ministry it is a must that you are carving out quiet time with God daily. If I dont start my day and make sure that have done business with God before I go into work, or even go to church on Sunday, I know that my day is going to be awful. Not to say that God will not have my best interest at heart if I dont do my quiet time, but as leaders we need to be setting the example for those we oversee and are responsible for. If we are not right with God and try to disciple people or serve people, its going to be tough. The pastor I work for says that if I come into work and haven't had my quiet time, I better pick up my bible and find a bench, a tree, whatever and don't come back until I have done business with God. He would rather me spend time on the clock getting right with God before I start my day, then to try and get by without first spending time with Him. Sounds a bit extreme, but he knows that we are human and can't do daily life without Him. Do you spend time with God daily?