“The prospects never looked brighter and the problems never looked tougher.  Anyone who isn’t stirred by both of those statements is too tired to be of much use to us in the days ahead.”
- John W. Gardner

“Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working.”
– Pablo Picasso

“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”
– Jim Rohn

We had an awesome day at The Journey yesterday – we did a mini-Big Day and had over 250 first time guests across our locations – go God!

Even with all that excitement, today is still Monday and sometimes I hear pastors talk about how drained they are after Sunday…

So I wanted to re-post a great blog post I read recently from Michael Hyatt about boosting your energy – here it is, enjoy:

How to Boost Your Energy Level
by Michael Hyatt

I am a high-energy person. But I haven’t always been that way. There have been times in my life when I was utterly exhausted. Times when getting through the day was a big chore. Times when I had nothing left to give by the end of the day. Times when I just wanted to collapse into bed and pull the covers over my head.

But in recent years, I am been very deliberate about managing my energy level. I did a lot of reading on this and took the time to educate myself. I experimented. I tried some new things. I broke some old habits. Now, my energy level remains pretty constant through the day.

Here’s how I keep my energy level high:

1. Connect with God. This is where I start each day. You were not created to function without a connection to God. He is the ultimate energy source. Trying to navigate life without Him is like trying to ride a motorcycle without starting the engine. You can do it, but it only works downhill. Unfortunately, a lot of life is uphill. The way I connect is by reading a passage from the Bible and praying on my commute to work.
2. Keep a positive attitude. This is crucial. “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Negative thoughts deplete your energy. Positive thoughts replenish your energize. Attitude is not something that just happens; you choose it. Even in difficult circumstances, you can choose to have a good attitude. And, it whether good or bad, it will have a direct impact on your energy.
3. Watch your mouth. Obviously, your thoughts influence your words and actions. But sometimes, it feels like my mouth has a mind of its own. It just runs out of habit. Someone says, “Hey, how ya doin’?” Without thinking, we say, “We’ll I’m surviving.” Or we might say, “Hanging on by my fingernails.” Guess what? That becomes our exactexperience. We say it, and it shapes the way we perceive reality. That’s why, by faith, I always say, “I’m doing great.” (If you don’t believe this, then you need to go back and do the gratitude exercise!)
4. Feed your brain. You’ve heard the old saying, “Garbage in, garbage out.” This applies to the world of computers, but it also applies to your brain. I try to stimulate my brain by constantly feeding it new and stimulating content. Some people complain that they don’t have time to read. Hogwash. You have twenty-four hours in your day—just like me. What you really mean is that it’s not a priority. I have a friend who recently gave me this excuse. When I probed, I discovered he was spending two hours each evening watching TV. Nothing wrong with that, but don’t tell me you don’t have time to read. You can’t afford not to read, not if you want to grow and be energized.
5. Exercise daily. I think this is one of the most important things you can do to “turn the tide” and start feeling more energetic. I know it’s counter-intuitive. You think, I don’t have enough energy to exercise or I’m tired now. If I exercise, I will be even more tired. Wrong. Regular exercise will boost your energy more than almost anything else you can do. It stimulates your heart and oxygenates your blood. This directly increases your energy level. Besides, if you exercise, you will lose weight. Those excess pounds also consume energy!
6. Take a good multi-vitamin. Personally, I don’t think you need a handful of vitamins and supplements every day. But a good multi-vitamin is essential. If you eat a lot of processed food, this is especially important. Most of us just don’t get the nutrition we need from the food we eat. I take a liquid product called Vibe. It covers the basics. It is a multi-vitamin, multi-mineral, antioxidant. I take it once a day and I’m done.
7. Drink a gallon of water a day. This is another great energy replenisher. You will especially notice the difference if you switch from soda drinks to water. It may take you a few days to notice the difference, but getting sugar out of your system and water into your system will definitely even-out your energy. I find that this also has a way of reducing my appetite. Sometime we think we’re hungry when we are really just thirsty. More water will also increase your metabolism and keep flushing your body’s waste.
8. Get plenty of rest. Most people I know don’t get enough rest. Everyone is different, but most adults need seven to eight hours a night. Most people I know are trying to get by on five or six hours. When you don’t get enough rest, all kinds of bad things happen. You get grumpy. You reduce your ability to handle stress. And, according to some research, you may well gain weight. Perhaps most significantly, you negatively impact your body’s auto-immune system. When you get run-down, you increase the likelihood of getting sick—and that’s definitely a drain on your energy.
9. Eat high-energy foods. The main thing to avoid here is the bad or fast-burning (high glycemic) carbohydrates. These are the ones that your body quickly turns to sugar. You get an initial boost from them as the sugar hits your blood, but you then hit a “trough” that is lower that your energy was before you ate them. Carbs in this category include white potatoes, white rice, and white flour (or white bread). Worst of all, the energy that isn’t burned gets stored as fat. Instead, eat slow-burning carbs like sweet potatoes, brown rice, wheat bread, etc. I also to eat more frequent, smaller meals. (I eat five or six small meals a day.) This keeps your metabolism up and your energy on an even keel.
10. Avoid energy-depleting people. Let’s be honest. Some relationships are toxic. You know the type. Some people are so negative they are a giant energy drain. Others are so positive, you get energized just being around them. Obviously, you want to surround yourself with enough positive people so you can keep your energy level up. And, you want to have this same kind of effect on others. Sometimes, you just have to tell people the truth. Not only for your sake, but for theirs.

Question: What do you do to boost your energy level?

This is a great list – what else would you add?  Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Here’s one that I’ve got: Make sure you’re growing.  

Yes, spiritually, but also in your leadership capacity, your knowledge and the critical skills that your role requires.

There’s nothing more draining or exhausting than “just getting by.”

With that in mind, I want to remind you that my new Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network begins on August 25

And if you Apply Before THIS Friday, July 22, you can lock in the best available rate AND receive Over $840.00 in additional bonus resources.

For more information and to Apply Now, visit:

http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/telecoaching

With all the headlines lately about leaders falling to temptation (and paying the consequences), I’ve been really burdened to encourage fellow pastors and church leaders to build safeguards.

The devil’s “top three” temptations are money, sex, and power, and to survive in ministry for the long haul and finish well, you need to build in appropriate protection against each.

I recently led a conference call on “Building Safeguards in Ministry” and over 400 other Senior Pastors joined me.

After that call, I got an email from one pastor in the Church Leader Insights family, explaining his current situation:

Nelson,

I’ve always kept the “rules” of never being alone with a woman who is not my spouse, etc.

Just recently, some of the other businesses that meet in the building where we rent office space, moved out.

This has left only a handful of other tenants, and they are in and out throughout the day.

Because of that, there have been several times where it’s just me and my administrative assistant alone in the building.

All the doors are open, there are lots of windows and someone from the other companies could walk in the building and their office down the hall at any moment, etc.

But again, sometimes it’s just her and I in the same office.

I’m in a quandary as to what to do.

1. I’m not attracted to her in any way, but also don’t trust myself.
2. I need her help – that’s why I hired her.
3. But sometimes it’s just her and I, which I don’t want.

Most of the time, she has other volunteers that come in and help her. Every now and then though, it’s just me and her.

In those instances, would you recommend just telling her not to come in?

Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon situation in smaller churches and/or church plants, but it’s also a dangerous one.

Here’s what I wrote back:

RUN RUN RUN – NEVER BE ALONE WITH HER. Make sure someone is always scheduled to be there.

If the last person is about to leave and she’s the only one there – she leaves with her!!

FIGURE THIS OUT ASAP – YOU ARE LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN FOR MAJOR ISSUES – EVEN IF NOT SIN ISSUES, IT COULD BE QUESTIONABLE ISSUES.

Let me know when this is handled. You are too valuable to have this unsettled.

Nelson

Thankfully, I received a prompt response later that same day confirming that he had made other arrangements.

I have every reason to believe that this pastor has a strong desire to remain pure and finish well in ministry.

BUT I don’t ever want to underestimate the potential of the enemy to use any open door he can to sabotage what God is doing in our churches.

How about you?  Are there ANY issues/potential issues in your ministry that are leaving the door open for temptation?

RUN, don’t walk, to build the safeguards to insure your ministry lasts for the long haul!

P.S. If you missed the “Building Safeguards in Ministry” Conference Call (or want to listen again), you can check out the Limited Time FREE Replay here:

http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/safeguard

And be sure to check out the recommended resources that I shared on the call too!

Have you listened yet to this month’s Church Leader Insights Podcast?  If not, I hope you will carve out a few minutes this week to check it out.

You’ll join me and Scott Whitaker as we encourage you to remember your call to ministry and provide practical steps to help you continue to live out the high calling that God has placed on your life.

My hope is that you will walk away strengthened, encouraged and challenged.

Click Here to Listen Now

P.S. Did you know that you can receive each month’s Church Leader Insights newsletter, podcast and book recommendations in your inbox for FREE?

Keep up with the latest in effective leadership, church growth, church planting, evangelism, and more!

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“You can tell a big person by the way he treats little people.”
- Thomas Carlyle

“If you care enough for a result, you will most certainly attain it.”
— William James, psychologist and author

With this weekend being Father’s Day, I thought the article below from Dick Hardy would be timely to re-print here on the blog.

And with the “double-header” at my house – my son Alexander turns 5 on Sunday – it was definitely worth the read for me.

Have a great Father’s Day and enjoy:

14 Thoughts on Being a Pastor and a Dad
by Dick Hardy

Hmmmmm…how did this happen? One minute I am referred to as Pastor Dick or Pastor Hardy and then BOOM, this kid shows up in my house. In my case, it was 1982 when my son arrived only to be followed by his sister three years later.

Once they started talking the title became Dad. At that point at church I was a business administrator but for all intents and purposes I was a pastor. That was me…and now I was a dad.

As of the date of this writing, Jonathan and Erin are 28 and 25 respectively. They have brought much joy to the lives of my wife and me. Let me say as well they have done very well in choosing the One they would serve through life. We are humbled by those decisions.

Male pastors approach this subject with some fear and trepidation. Once you venture out with suggestions, advice or thoughts on raising kids you run the risk that it will all come back to bite you. It is my prayer that our family will be spared that kind of tragedy. To be clear, for all the good decisions our children have made to-date, tomorrow they could choose wrongly. We pray that will not be the case.

Here are my thoughts for those who are a dad and pastor.

1. Pray Like It’s a Privilege. It never stops. I remember a friend older than me telling me that just because her daughter was 30 did not mean she ceased being her daughter in the sense of prayer, care and nurture. My friend was right. I was privileged to pray for my children when they were very young and I am privileged to pray for my children as adults everyday.

2. Pray Like It’s a Responsibility. If I do not do it, who will? Yes, my wife, but even then I am the leader of my home. I owe it to my two kids, my wife and my God to carry them to Him every day. This responsibility makes much of what I do at the office pale in comparison.

3. Introduce Them to Jesus. Do not wait around for the children’s or youth worker or pastor to do the drill. You’re their dad for crying out loud. You need to make the greatest introduction they will ever experience. Do all you can to log in their mind all that is associated with that introduction. Why introduce everybody else in church to Jesus and not your own kid. Do it!

4. Disciple Them. This is your opportunity to make sure they get it right. Just because they are in your pastor’s home doesn’t mean they get it by osmosis. You must partner with your wife and the ministries of the church to walk your child systematically through what God desires for their life. This will pay huge dividends. But you must lead in discipleship.

5. Discipline Them. Left to their own devices sons and daughters will not go the right direction. Maybe on a rare occasion they might get lucky. In any profession you must experience training. It’s the same with your children. Athletes must subject their bodies to pain in order to achieve on the field, court or track. We spanked our kids. I know, I know…politically incorrect. They don’t seem to be too warped as a result. Whatever you do, take steps to establish rules, boundaries and expectations. Use discipline in correction. You goal is to get the right kind of behavior that sets them up for success in life. Failure to discipline will have dire consequences.

6. Love Their Mom. The greatest sense of security comes when a son or daughter sees their dad loving on mom. In the home, they should see you kiss and hug her. They will learn how a husband relates to a wife by watching their own parents. Be the model and love their mom.

7. Have Fun. Don’t take yourself too seriously. If you are by nature a fun-loving pastor this one is easy. If you are heavy into the depths of everything spiritual, you can afford to relax and have fun with the son and/or daughter God has given you.

8. Be Crazy. For some guys, Webster has their picture by this word’s definition.   Really. They are just flat out goofy, crazy, and nuts. Kids have more fun with crazy dads. Now you might like to keep some balance, possibly provided by your wife. But in any event, get crazy from time to time. No, it’s not “unpastoral” for you to do this!

9. Smile and Laugh. Yes, enjoy life and let it show. Smile. Let yourself laugh. I know you are the pastor but for goodness sakes, ease up and laugh. Life is too short and your kids are with you a VERY short time.  While you’re at it, if you have a serious child, help them learn to enjoy smiles and laughter. Eventually, they will thank you for it.

10. Cry. Some guys, including pastors, have trouble with this one. Whether consciously taught or not, our culture says, “Tough guys don’t cry.” Certainly, if you are leading a church or ministry, you must be tough. Right? Forget it. If the time comes for your son or daughter to cry even as teens or adults, let them cry. While you are at it, let them see you cry when that occasion presents itself. You will not lose on this one.

11. Be a Kid Again (Good Excuse). Your wife wonders, but that’s what makes you the man you are today. You are just a kid stuck in a 25, 45, 65 or 85-year old body. Let it show. When the kids want to play you need to be front and center. You don’t have to forfeit wisdom, but you do need to be a kid when your kids need a kid.

12. Teach. Life is a lesson. You have the great opportunity to teach through virtually every happening in life. Your home is a classroom. Your kids will watch how you deal with the ups and downs of life. How you respond to adversity in the church, particularly as they get old enough to understand some of the unfairness that is part of ministry.   Will you teach grace, mercy and compassion or will you teach anger and vengeance. Revel in the privilege of being their number one teacher.

13. Be the Dad. You have to step up and be the dad when the time calls for it. Your kids don’t need another buddy. They have plenty of those. They need a dad who will show them the direction when their immaturity can’t find it. Be the dad!

14. Transfer Everything. Realize that the day will come when it won’t be all about you, your church, your ministry, or your life.  While they are growing up YOU are their dad. They are YOUR son or daughter. YOU are the pastor.  I relished the day when the tables turned and people said to me, “Oh, you are JONATHAN’S dad” and “Oh, you are ERIN’S dad.” My mark on life began to be made through my kids. They are now making the mark. That is really cool.

At the end of the day, you need to be able to look in the mirror and say to yourself, “I did all I could today to be the dad to my son or the dad to my daughter I could be.” Some days you will fail. Other days you will see outlandish success. Every day you need to purpose not to be the best pastor on the planet, although that would be good.  Rather, purpose to be the best dad those kids in your home need today.

At the end of life’s journey I want Jonathan and Erin to say something like this to me, “Well-done, Dad. Thank you for raising me like you did. Thank you for introducing me to Jesus.” That will be more than worth it in my book and I hope in yours as well.

Great stuff!

P.S. If you’d like to Save $189.00 on a great package of resources to help you be a better dad, check out The Great Father’s Day Package – available for Immediate Download!

This weekend is a big one for our family. This Sunday is my son, Alexander’s 5th birthday – yep, the big “oh – five.”

I’m seeing a Superhero Squad cupcake in my future… It’s going to be a blast!

Plus, I get twice the celebration, because his birthday is also Father’s Day!

Since I’m in a celebratory mood - I’d like to give you a gift too…

In honor of Alexander’s birthday and Father’s Day, I’ve put together a very special resource package designed to help you become a better man – it’s called The Great Father’s Day Package!

Your Great Father’s Day Package includes:

• Time Management for Busy Pastors($99.95 Value)
• Setting and Achieving Godly Goals($99.95 Value)
• Leadership Skills for a Growing Church ($99.95 Value)
• BONUS – Managing the Stress of Ministry ($29.95 Value)

Plus, download yours between now and Monday, and you’ll receive over $105.00 in Additional Bonuses, including:

• Planning a One Year Preaching Calendar ($29.95 Value)
• Maximizing Summer ($19.95 Value)
• Maximizing Easter ($19.95 Value)
• The First 90 Days: Welcoming a New Staff Member ($19.95 Value)
• The Year-End Review ($19.95 Value)

All told, you’ll Save Over $189.00 between today and Monday!

Click Below to Download Your Great Father’s Day Package:

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Today through Monday Only!

Prefer to order by phone? Call us at 1-800-264-5129 before 5pm Eastern.

Thanks for your continued prayer and support for me, my family, The Journey and the ministry of Church Leader Insights!

Your friend,

Nelson

P.S. Don’t wait too long though… The Great Father’s Day Package and Bonuses will disappear like leftover birthday cake on Monday at 11:59pm Eastern:

https://nelsonsearcy.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp?view=4&i=p1049

Thanks for celebrating my son’s birthday (or Fathers Day) with me!