The Importance of Self-Care as a Pastor

Types of Balance
External Balance: "What our life looks like from the outside”
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How we spend our time, energy and resources
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How we utilize and optimize our skills, talents and passions
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How we prioritize and our roles and responsibilities
Internal Balance: “What our life feels like from the inside”
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Our inner thoughts, feelings, and attitudes
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Our underlying needs and levels of attachment
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The impact of our life experiences
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Our quality of spiritual relationship and sense of identity through God
Key Areas Related to Balance in Our Life:
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Balance in our Personal Roles of Life: (Spouse, Parent, Adult Child, Sibling, etc)
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Balance in our Professional Roles in Life: (Colleague, Supervisor/Supervisee, Spokesperson, etc)
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Balance in Our Relationships
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Balance in the Way We Cope and De-stressBalance in Our Spiritual Development
Key Ways We Can Fall out of Balance
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Having too much of something in our lives
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Having too little of something in our lives
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Having inconsistency in our lives
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Having unhealthy or unfruitful sources in our lives
Key Ways to Maintain Balance (Being a Steward of Self)
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Purposefully create margin in our lives (time, energy, relationship availability, etc)
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Protect our time allocated to relaxation and rejuvenation
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Reserve “quality time and quality energy” for our marriage and family
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Be aware of balancing tasks that our “energy draining” vs. “energizing” in our personal and professional lives
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Prioritize and budget our external and internal resources
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Set reasonable goals and find ways to acknowledge “small victories”
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Find daily ways to appreciate and feel appreciated
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Keep focus on the larger vision and sense of purpose we have in our life and the roles we play
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Stay active in our relationship with God and our spiritual development
Contact me if…
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You would like to learn more about how issues of balance in your life can impact your ability to serve in your ministry
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You would like for me to conduct a training in-service to your church leadership about the importance of balance in our personal and professional lives
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You would ike for me to conduct a church community presentation to your church members about the importance of balance as individuals, families and a larger church community
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You would like to know about more resources available in regards to establishing a healthy balance in life
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You have any questions or suggestions that are not covered in this section or the featured articles offered
Featured Articles & Resources
Linked from: www.pastoralcareinc.com
Self-Care Tips for the Clergy Family
Written by: Rev. Frank Schaefer
Linked from: www.desperatepreacher.com
Written by: Kate Rugani
Linked from: www.faithandleadership.com
Written by: Steve Johnson
Linked from: www.my-pastor.com
Written by: Nathan Davis
Linked from: www.pastorselfcare.five-factor.com
Self-Care For Church Leaders (Links to Resources)
Written by: Dr. Carlus Gupton
Linked from: www.lifeandleadership.com
Written by: Nathan Davis
Linked from: www.pastorselfcare.five-factor.com
Written by: Nathan Davis
Linked from: www.pastorselfcare.five-factor.com