by Gary Becker
(Executive Director of BBM, inc)
I was very young, probably jr-high age, when I first became a workaholic working in a grocery store and as paper-boy delivery papers on my bike. Then starting my senior year of high-school I began a toolmaker apprentice (about 30 hours a week) plus helping run a road stand nights and weekends. Once out of high school I worked over 50 hours hour a week plus going to college nights. Then worked my way through Bible College as a toolmaker (30 to 40 hours a week) plus a youth ministry. This continued as I started out in full-time ministry.
Needless to say as a pastor I became a “ministry-aholic.” In the ministry it is easy to think you’re essential and indispensable. The feeling you are serving God can lead to the thinking that committing your life to the Lord is same as committing to ministry. Thus, ministry becomes a god instead of being a service for God.
The answer to this problem comes when we can find life-balance. Here are are a few things I learned that can help in finding balance in ministry.
Like any addiction finding balance begins with admitting you have a problem and seeking biblical understanding and help.
First remember God and Jesus set the example for us setting themselves apart for times of rest. (Genesis 2:2)
Remembering God’s order is where balance begins:
Personal relationship with God and submission to Him is where balance begins. Thus, honoring and glorifying Him is our first priority. (Colossians 3:17)
Our wives are our next priority in relationships followed by our family. (Ephesians 5:28 and 6:4 and Deut.6))
Ministry is a third priority. Don’t be confused by thinking “serving the Lord” must come before family. Remember God gave us family before ministry. Serving God is essential but we need to remember honoring our wives comes before serving the church. (Romans 12:7)
Thus, planning time OFF for wives and families needs to be a major priority in developing balance.
Never be ashamed of taking time off for a lunch with your wife. It is one of the privileges we should take in a ministry schedule.
Another blessing in ministry often comes when people offer us a vacation home.
There are blessings that come with ministry, count them and appreciate them.
Don’t allow false guilt. Either put on by yourself or what others may try to put on you for taking time off and especially not for family time.
A Coaching relationship that builds accountability can be vital help to building and maintaining balance. Coaching relationships can help us to build goals but also to protect and plan for times of refreshing. From my early years of ministry I was privileged to have mentors followed by coaching relationships that helped me in both ministry development and building balance into my life.
Any form of addiction including being a workaholic requires accountability relationships. Certainly spouses can provide a great resource. However, the value of an objective coach cannot be underestimated. BBM offers coaching ministries building balance in the ministry, business, and personal relationships. You can also check out our website for some helpful tools, www.balancedministries.org.