There have been many great speakers at the Orange conference the past few years for me one of the most memorable Keynotes was Doug Fields.
His message was how you as a minister needs to focus on your family.
Doug Fields –
Leaders share the credit and empower people.
How do I care for my own family as I care for others?
The most commitments I made about how I do family came when I was unmarried and didn’t have kids.
Focus on your own darn family.
Two fears in raising kids –
1. Parents married the ministry and divorced their family.
2. Working with teens – why would I bring one of these in the world.
The Spiritual leader of the church in the bible is mother/father. Not a CEO.
Building a ministry is much easier than building a family.
Ministry is consuming there is never an end. There is always something more to do.
Focus on your own family – To make a difference we have to live it out. If you don’t everything you do will be empty theory.
1. Change the channel – all you hear is the expectations of others – Unrealistic expectations.
If I don’t focus on my own family no one else will –
The church is an environment values yes – It’s easy to rise up in the church environment.
It’s really hard to say no the the good things.
2. Unplug from church – use the off button.
When you are in the car don’t use the phone.
don’t use the computer –
When you leave your church very few people will care.
Other people can lead the church when it comes to my family there is only one dad and one father.
You should never hold your phone more than your own kids.
3. Serve ice cream – let your family experience fun and privilege. Spend time making it fun.
What are you doing to make your house fun?
What are you doing as a church staff person to make it a privilege to work at church?
What I took away: I have heard many talks about putting your family first, Doug’s talk was both inspirational and intensely practical. I have listened to it a few times and thought of it more.
The three things that stod out to me initially and have continued to challenge me are:
*Ministry is consuming there is never an end. There is always something more to do.
*Focus on your own family – To make a difference we have to live it out. If you don’t everything you do will be empty theory.
*Unplug from church – use the off button. When you are in the car don’t use the phone.
(To read more by Guest Blogger Sam Luce, click here.)
