My chaplain supervisor said, 'The ER doesn't cause the dynamic in a family, it simply reveals and then heightens what it already there.'

Close families got closer, tense ones got worse.

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My early reps in Family Systems Theory were about reading the family dynamic in the first 3 minutes.

Once you learn to notice anxiety between people, it is amazing how quickly you can notice healthly or toxic dynamics.

2/

I think COVID is the equivalent of the ER. It isn't causing starved souls in pastors, it is revealing the condition of our soul health and amplifying it.

This can feel threatening but is actually a gift.

3/

If your soul is struggling, you can move toward health. You can budget for an intensive, get a coach, or if you have no money to spend, then you can spend your time.

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I learned early when working in a church that no one else is going to tend to my soul - it is my responsibility to carve out a life of joy with God.

To work hard ensuring that what I am teaching others is congruent with what I experience myself.

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It doesn't come naturally. In fact, I think most pastors would agree that ministry gets in the way of soul health - that it can be detrimental. Therefore we need more intentionality and vigilance.

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But it can be so hard when we feel pressure, especially in COVID days.

Can I just say this? Now is the right time to do something about it. It doesn't have to be this way. You can pastor and enjoy God and cultivate a soul relationship that gives you what you offer others:

7/

Freedom, peace, love.

One source of anxiety: a double bind.

So many pastors I know want to be Eugene Peterson or Henri Nouwen, but also want to be on the Outreach list or Catalyst stage. Neither is bad of course, but choose you this day.

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Faithfulness first. Soul care first. Drinking in the streams of grace you so eloquently tell others about first.

And then these things may or may not be added unto you.

9/

A final word on COVID and ER. It is also exposing our congregant's discipleship.

Lots of shifting and shuffling going on. Lots of preference driven decisions.

God is good. In the shaking, there is grace. stay firm on your vision and values.

10/

Cast a compelling, beautiful vision for the beauty and mess of the local church and how each of us are essential for it to thrive. Let God manage the shuffling and shifting.

And fight hard for peace today.

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