Rev. Don Campbell

Ecclesiastes 3

THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 4, 2019

“WHY PREACHERS TRY TO JUGGLE TOO MANY BALLS”

J.J. Turner, Ph.D. © 2019

When I was a boy I was like most kids, in awe and fascinated by jugglers. My first experience was when an entertainer sponsored by a national yoyo company performed at my grammar school. After holding us spelled bound with a yoyo exhibition, the performer turned to juggle balls, plates, and bowling pins. Guess what? I couldn’t wait to get home and, along with my best friend, start my own juggling act. I finally was able to keep 3 balls in the air for about a minute.

Back in 1989 Anthony Gatto, a professional juggler who set the world record by keeping five clubs in the air for 45-minutes. By adding 1 or 2 clubs to the routine he wasn’t able to juggle much more than a minute.

Turning to a metaphor application, which is very popular in our busy world, we constantly hear about the consequences in the life of a person experiencing the results of trying to Juggle too any balls.” I know I have and also know elders and preachers who are experiencing ministry burnout caused by stress resulting from “jugglingitis”—trying to do too many things at the same time.

In my first years of ministry, I prepared my “TO DO” list the night before so I would be able to hit the floor running come the next morning. My list always had 5 to 10 items on it. Each night as I looked at my list I was discouraged. Why? I had only accomplished 1 or 2, perhaps 3 of the items. I was laboring under a “saved by works theology,” which I was failing to do. One day I was sharing my frustration and guilt with an older preacher and I will never forget what he told me. “J.J., if you could do everything on your To Do list, would that be enough? No! You will never be able to do enough. Remember, God, is judging you by the ‘intent of your heart’ (Hebrews 4:12), not the checks on your successful achievement day-by-day.”

SOME BALLS PREACHERS TRY TO JUGGLE AT ONE TIME

When I conduct my Fresh Fire Seminar one of the constant reasons given for burnout caused by stress is the “I’m trying to juggle too many balls” statement. In discussions of with preachers, elders, deacons, and ministry leaders I have noted several things which seem to make up the “too many balls” leaders are trying to juggle at one time. Here are some of those balls:

1. The work of the preacher is never completed. Therefore, one of the major balls he has to juggle is the proper use of his time. From meeting the needs of his family, the congregation, and others are among the “101” stresses on time. Even if he had “25 hours” in a day he would still not have enough time. This is why he MUST learn how to control and manage his time.

2. Another ball the preacher has to try and juggle are all the expectations of the leadership and members have of him. The preacher always has someone who is disappointed with him or expecting more than he can do or deliver.

3. The preacher manages a 24-hour, open for business, fix-it office and workshop. Regardless of the situation or challenge, he has a burden for “I can fix it or I will try.”

4. Among the balls the preacher is trying to keep in the air is responding to the attitude by some members who seem to believe that he, and he alone, can handle their problems. Thus, he holds a phone vigil 24-hours a day. He lives under the slogan “That’s what we pay you to do.”

5. Depending on the distance to hospitals, sometimes in a distant town or city, the preacher can spend an entire day making one hospital call or running between local hospitals.

6. There are always the needs of ministering to the youth and aged members of a congregation, as well as the new converts and delinquent members. He is never on leave from “shepherding” of the flock, even though he may not be an elder.

7. Next, to his commitment to Christ as the first priority in his life, the preacher should have his family in the second place relative to priority. In my book Preventing Ministry Burnout, I discuss the role stress and burnout have on the preacher’s wife and children.

8. Yes, the preacher also has to juggle his personal needs in his daily schedule of keeping all the balls in the air. Sadly, some preachers place themselves last on the list of needs which need attention. They are overweight, have heart trouble, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.

9. If the preacher is what we call “A part-time” preacher he obviously is expected to juggle all the balls a full-time preacher is expected to juggle. He is paid a part-time salary and expected to do full-time ministry.

10. Then there is always the “unexpected ball” which seems to come out of the blue: a call from a distressed member, local police department, child care, etc.

TIPS FOR JUGGLING THE STRESSES A PREACHER FACES

Since there will never be “enough time” on the clock or calendar for most preachers to finish their TO DO list every day, there must be prayerful and planned attention given to what is considered the priorities in the NOW. As with preparing a budget, you start with the most important items and work down the list. Here are some suggestions:

1. With a deep consciousness realize there will always be more and more to do. You aren’t neglecting one or giving more importance; only realizing you can only do so much in a day.

2. Out of a season of prayer, you will be able to establish and understand your priorities.

3. It may be wise or necessary to contact the elders to receive an update on what they are seeing as an immediate priority.

4. Recognize there may be a need to adjust or bypass a priority because of an emergency, etc.

5. Understand you will need to be flexible and aren’t failing if you have to change, adjust, or remove a priority.

6. Manage the use of modern technological tools in pursuing your daily ministry objections. The phone, emails, tweets, etc. are great helpers if used properly.

7. If possible develop a helper and support team to help you accomplish some of the ministry goals. This will involve continually communication and training.

8. As “un-spiritual” as it may sound there will be times and conditions which require the preacher to say no, postpone or reschedule.

9. It must be remembered the TO DO list is only a tool to help the preacher be more organized, efficient and successful in managing his 24-hour day.

10. The key to successfully handling the pressures, opportunities, and needs of the congregation is openness and communication. You freely and lovingly share the challenges you face, as well as also asking for prayers and help—they’ll understand.

There will always be those times—the exceptions—when the candle needs to be burning at both ends. There are real emergencies and needs that must the crammed into a busy schedule.
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(Brother Turner’s book Preventing Ministry Burnout is available on amazon.com)