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Author Archives: Gary Butler
Making the Most of a Minister’s Sabbatical: Part 6
The importance of “sharpening the saw” Stephen Covey is in agreement with Robert Morris in the assertion we all have four “tanks” or dimensions of life that need regular renewal: spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional. In his classic book, The 7 … Continue reading
Making the Most of a Minister’s Sabbatical: Part 5
Filling the other tanks In my last post, I introduced the metaphor of four energy tanks or reservoirs that we all have. Each of these tanks need to be refilled on a regular basis. Last time I focused on what … Continue reading
Posted in Coaching for Pastors, Communication, Counseling, Family, Leadership, Marriage, Minister Health
Tagged burnout, Minister Health, recovery, rest, sabbatical
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Making the Most of a Minister’s Sabbatical: Part 4
What people actually do on a sabbatical is as varied as the people themselves. As promised, I will share our story, but what I did may not be best for you. We are all different. We face different circumstances. We have … Continue reading
Posted in Coaching for Pastors, Counseling, Family, Leadership, Minister Health, Prayer
Tagged Minister Health, Quiet time, rest, retreat, Sabbath, sabbatical, Spiritual Renewal
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Making the Most of a Minister’s Sabbatical: Part 3
You don’t have to wait for a crisis Please understand you don’t have to wait for a crisis or complete exhaustion to benefit from time away from ministry responsibilities. Most sabbaticals are at least a month long,[1] but if you … Continue reading
Posted in Coaching for Pastors, Communication, Counseling, Family, Leadership, Minister Health, Prayer, Uncategorized
Tagged getaway, Minister Health, rest, retreat, sabbatical, self-care
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Making the Most of a Minister’s Sabbatical: Part 2
In my previous post, I explained the warning signs indicating too much stress and exhaustion. Plus, I shared the stressful season (extended full-time care for my dying mother with Alzheimer’s on top of our normally busy life and full-time ministry) … Continue reading
Posted in Coaching for Pastors, Communication, Counseling, Family, Leadership, Marriage, Minister Health
Tagged burnout, rest, Sabbath, sabbatical, stress
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Making the Most of Minister’s Sabbatical: Part 1
During a recent sabbatical, I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to begin writing about my experiences. Over the past year and a half, my wife Carolyn and I provided full-time care in our home for my rapidly failing 90-year-old … Continue reading
Posted in Coaching for Pastors, Counseling, Family, Leadership, Marriage, Minister Health, Prayer, Uncategorized
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Frequency: Tune In. Hear God.
As part of my sincere effort to keep one day a week as a true Sabbath, I regularly practice resting, quieting my mind, and listening for the voice of the Lord. Recently, I felt impressed to spend much of my … Continue reading
Take The Day Off (Revised)
A few years ago Pastor Scott Tischler asked whether I had seen the video series, The Blessed Life by Pastor Robert Morris. Scott said it was the best resource he had ever seen about the biblical principles of tithing and that … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Church Leadership Coaching, Coaching for Pastors, Counseling, Family, Leadership, Minister Health
Tagged rest, Sabbath, sabbatical
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Life In The Fasting Lane
Life In the Fasting Lane: How to Make Intermittent Fasting a Lifestyle – and Reap the Benefits of Weight Loss and Better Health by Jason Fung MD, Eve Mayer, and Megan Ramos ($14.99 for the Kindle edition on Amazon) is a … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Coaching for Pastors, Minister Health
Tagged diabetes, Fasting, Minister Health, NAFLD, Weight loss
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The Church Recovery Guide
The Church Recovery Guide: How Your Congregation Can Adapt and Thrive After a Crisis by Karl Vaters ($5.99 for the Kindle edition on Amazon) is a quick read by one of the most respected voices in the Assemblies of God … Continue reading