But now here's the rub: I'm having to figure out what I was doing before, to "get back in the swing of things" as the saying goes. So far, I'm pressing through and trying to re-establish my routines... but I'm distracted.
So, my post for today is a question to pastors. What kinds of practical things do you do to get back in the swing of preparing and preaching when you've been out of the pulpit for a while?
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11 comments:
I encounter this several times a year because I share the teaching load with another pastor pretty much 50/50 (there are some other people in there, too).
It's a struggle to get back into it every single time. In fact, I am in the middle of it right now. The only advice I can give is just do it. Whatever you normally do when you are preparing, dive in. You'll find after a few mis-starts, you'll be back swinging.
OK...of to do some message prep.
I will eagerly await the responses.
After preaching weekly for 8 years, I've never had more than a week off at a time, but even that can get me out of whack a few times per year.
I can't imagine the disruption (blessed though it be) that a month off would cause to my routine. I'm such a creature of habit.
; - )
Hey T.
Get your Bible, some paper and a pen, and get alone. Open up to the Pastoral epistles and read, take notes and pray for the members of FBC generally and for as many of the members as you can name. Spend at least a couple of hours or so, then hurry back to your study do not take a detour do not pass go, do not collect $100 and get to work.
1st Timothy 4:13
What I like to do is have a good long conference call with Thabiti and have my athleticism compared to his.
I don't know about that justin buzzard, I have seen Thabiti bust a move in the pulpit, the Brother got skills.
If was a pastor, I'd try to imagine myself on the basketball court, dunking over you, hanging on the rim and winking at you as you pick yourself up off the court.
I then transfer the focus to preaching.
Kurt,
I think that would be some very imaginative preaching, since your gave is very much below the rim like mine these days!
Lou, Justin is clearly the better athlete... though I've not seen him bust a move in the pulpit. Brutha ain't gon' live that down, is he? :-)
Naw man, the moves were tight!
Are you plan on being in Miami? If so I will bring you your cd's of the messages there, (Lord willing).
Today is my first full day back at work after four weeks away from the pulpit and other pastoral duties. Getting back into the swing of things for me is a matter of asking myself what God was teaching me through my devotions and experiences while I was away. The first sermon then amounts to saying "This is what I learned while away. It helped me and I want to relay it on to you." What comes from the heart goes to the heart.
I dive back into the passage where I left off. I then read those commentators who inspired me before the break. The combination of the power of Scripture and the profound insights of men who have gone before me gets me eager again.
I've found that listening to others pastors while walking or excercising is a great way for me to get inspired or kick start some new ideas. Thank you Lord for ipods!
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