A Pastor's Vacation - II

so here's what I did...

drove to Vegas, ate at a buffet, didn't exercise, walked the strip, joined the journey church staff prayer time, went off my medication, hung with dave c., went to a bookstore, ate memphis bbq with steve p., visited an antique bookstore, checked out central christian church (a seeker sensitive MEGA church), saw the James Bond movie, played $20 at video poker (lost $17), walked around retail outlets, ate taco bell, drove home.

watched judge judy, went to the gym, hugged the kids, kissed the wife, missed wed church, hung with chris c, dropped the dog off at my mom's, went to the doctor to check my testosterone, went to the gym, packed.

drove to San Diego for Point Loma's homecoming and Kristan's 15 year college reunion, changed my name to jimmy waldfogel, had Miguel's white sauce, met a pastor who got burned because he wanted the church to help the poor, went to the park, saw some good friends, went to the baseball game then basketball game, heard my testosterone is low (188), attended Smee Hall dedication, ate at Adalberto's, made smores, went to 1st church (classic and contemporary service), checked into a hotel, drove to Coronado Island: visited Hotel Del, walked the beach, picked up sea shells with kennedy, buried jameson in the sand, held kristan's hand for a few paces, ate a big dinner, then a big breakfast, exercised and drove home.

watched tv, had lunch with some pastor types Ron Lush gathered, got a prostate check, ate wings, went to the gym, tried to avoid phone calls and emails from people who know I'm on vacation but think I should still be working, slept in, went to the gym, hung with some old biltmore friends at EJ's : david, bonnie, chantelle, jimmy, bj, kathy, brent and kristan.

had Thanksgiving with kristan's family and my family combined at our house, remembered some were without food and family, watched football, sang the doxology, went to a movie with the kids (Bolt)

stayed in bed and watched the Mork and Mindy Marathon, went to gym, dinner (yard house) and movie (4 christmases) with Kristan, didn't shave, went to City of Grace church (saw Gary K who cancelled preaching at my church; thanks scott), went shopping with the kids, visited the emergent desert cohort with dave, saw ron and sarah, cancelled staff meeting, ate chipotle, watched the suns game, went to bed hoping to wake up ready to head back to the church office.

A Pastor's Vacation - I

Why does a guy who only works one hour, one day a week need a vacation???

First because of comments like those plus...

I'm burned out; addicted to thinking about church; too attached to my phone, email and the clock; life and work are out of balance; people withdraw more from a pastor than they deposit; I don't have a hobby; I care much about people and the organization's future and need a space where I don't have to care; I haven't taken a vacation this year; I've worked extra hard this fall; I'm taking an anti-depressant; My wife told me to; My counselor told me to; I need to clear my head; I have nothing left to give; I'm empty and drained; I am always tired; I need new clarity and focus; My staff needs me to be nicer; My kids need their dad to have more energy; I haven't taken care of myself; I need to re-prioritize marriage and ministry; To love others I have to love myself; I need to stop. I'm stopping.