Where do the Worship Ministry leaders get their fill?

[Sarah Barlow]

I'd love some feedback on what you do as a leader in regards to your own worship, your Bible studies and your mentoring? Do you find it hard to switch off your leadership mode in church services and worship yourself? Do you have enough nights in the week to go to a small group/Bible study? Do you have a quiet time? Do you have a prayer/accountability/mentoring partner? How do we do everything?!

[David Lindner]

We will be talking about this issue in Podcast #19. I hope we can offer you some very helpful advice, and at the same time you will see that we are far from perfect in regards to this issue, and each have plenty of room for improvement. Thanks for starting this discussions. I'll be referencing it to hopefully get some deeper discussion going about this very important topic.

[Louise]

Hi Sarah

Not sure what others do. I have a quiet time in the morning. I love to listen to music and will grab the chance whenever I get an opportunity. I do find it quite difficult to switch off the leadership mode, but I find that God speaks to me in other ways - in small things in my life, as I prepare to lead worship, as I prepare to lead small group, as I speak with friends and family, through others' blogs and in books that I read - all kinds of other ways. I have learnt to listen to God speaking in as many other avenues as possible.

I lead a small group with my husband. I don't have a mentor, prayer or accountability partner, Timing is really tricky for me as I work 8-5 and commute for a half hour each way. It is an area in my life which is lacking and I've been praying about it for a while. I find it incredibly lonely.

[David Lindner]

I know what you're talking about. I used to commute an hour each way, and by the time I got home, there just wasn't any time or energy left for much else.

I do know of some businessmen who have an accountability group and they do it all over the phone while they're commuting. I don't think they conference call or anything like that (that might be a little too distracting) but they call each other quite regularly. Just one idea.

Louise said:

Hi Sarah

Not sure what others do. I have a quiet time in the morning. I love to listen to music and will grab the chance whenever I get an opportunity. I do find it quite difficult to switch off the leadership mode, but I find that God speaks to me in other ways - in small things in my life, as I prepare to lead worship, as I prepare to lead small group, as I speak with friends and family, through others' blogs and in books that I read - all kinds of other ways. I have learnt to listen to God speaking in as many other avenues as possible.

I lead a small group with my husband. I don't have a mentor, prayer or accountability partner, Timing is really tricky for me as I work 8-5 and commute for a half hour each way. It is an area in my life which is lacking and I've been praying about it for a while. I find it incredibly lonely.

[Sarah Barlow]

Louise,
I think you are doing an incredible job in replying to this and being in this network. Keep it up, this is one good way of networking, like David has been saying.
David,
Thanks a lot for the podcast, even that you took it so seriously gave me support in my ministry here on the other side of the world.

I am feeling a little low in energy at the moment myself - our church is doing farewell services this weekend for our senior minister who is retiring. My mentor happens to be his wife, so I will be losing both my senior minister, my boss and my mentor. On top of that, I was in a team who have just run a Carols by Candlelight for our city, which is a huge job, and dealing with the aftermath of that. My poor son has just started school holidays here and all I am doing is parking him in front of the tv sometime throughout the day while I sleep, work or otherwise!
Can I give a suggestion to any of those out there who is feeling lonely? Talk to your superiors about it. My chair of Elders caught me one Sunday and said to me that he had no idea that I was struggling, he apologised on behalf of the Elders, and he said that he was always there for me to talk to. He also said, wisely, I thought, that in an organisation that if you feel you need to whinge or complain about your situation, that you "complain up". That is talk to people higher than you on the organisation's ladder. They have the where-with-all to help you deal, they know what you are talking about and you aren't contaminating your followers! I plan to sit down with him and vent a bit in the new year.
I felt that the end of the line was me, and that I had to just deal with it all. But actually, the leadership team in the church needs to know what is happening, both in your team, and personally.
Louise said:

Hi Sarah
Not sure what others do. I have a quiet time in the morning. I love to listen to music and will grab the chance whenever I get an opportunity. I do find it quite difficult to switch off the leadership mode, but I find that God speaks to me in other ways - in small things in my life, as I prepare to lead worship, as I prepare to lead small group, as I speak with friends and family, through others' blogs and in books that I read - all kinds of other ways. I have learnt to listen to God speaking in as many other avenues as possible.
I lead a small group with my husband. I don't have a mentor, prayer or accountability partner, Timing is really tricky for me as I work 8-5 and commute for a half hour each way. It is an area in my life which is lacking and I've been praying about it for a while. I find it incredibly lonely.

[David Lindner]

Sarah,

I'm sorry to hear how you're feeling. Truth be told, we all probably feel that way more often than we'd like to admit to anyone. It's hard to tell people how you are really feeling and be vulnerable with them. My hat goes off to you for having the courage to share it with an Elder and I hope that goes well.

We all need someone to talk to. I'm trying to find someone right now that's close by and available, yet removed from my situation so I can talk freely without fear of injuring anyone I'm working with. We all come into some sort of frustration at some point in our jobs, and we just need to be able to get it off our minds. Often times, for me anyway, when I am able to get it off my mind, that's about all I need, and I can get back to life as usual.