An excerpt from my new book Pastor Legacy Life Plan
750 words, less than three minutes of reading time.
Editor note: I released by small little booklet Pastor Legacy Life Plan last month. You can read how to get a free copy below. It helps a mid-journey pastor tie seven different parts of life together for a legacy life season. One of the chapters addresses “multidimensional health,” of which leisure is a part of that plan. Below is the excerpt.
Most pastors lack a leisure plan. Leadership requires one to give the mind and body rest to prepare it for future challenges.
As we end the U.S. typical vacation season, let us examine the need for a future leisure legacy plan through this excerpt.
“Very few people have a leisure plan. Some have leisure habits of course. A regular golf foursome. A standing fishing trip each year. A tennis club or association. A card-paying group.
Still, others chase more intellectual or fun pursuits such as reading, a society such as the C.S. Lewis Society, International Churchill Society, or the Wodehouse Society. (For the last two, I am a member in good standing.)
What about travel as an escape, not just for work? There is an entire industry devoted to retirement season travel that describes the holistic benefits from seeing and learning of other places. Some of us that have traveled for a living just want to stay home. But our spouses desire to see and experience other places. As pastors and their spouses approach the middle season of life, it often gets easier to travel as family conditions change. But it requires time, planning, and some financial resources.
Some pastors and spouses regularly travel to denominational or network meetings. Those that keep going find them refreshing to attend, mostly to see old friends. But when active pastoring ends, will you still attend? Some will remain connected to the denomination to maintain relationships. But the church may no longer be paying for those expenses. Factor those into your financial plan.
What will that look like for you? What do you want your legacy season to look like when it comes to leisure? What’s your leisure and travel desire and dream that will help keep you sharp and fresh?
Many pastors have very little structured leisure in their lives in the middle stages of their careers. That is rarely a sign of health.
Even in the depths of World War 2, then General Dwight Eisenhower found time for some recreation to take his mind off the command of the war. It improved his overall decision-making and energy levels for his more important tasks. During the darkest days in England during the same conflict, Churchill went to weekend homes where he did some painting, dined with friends, and engaged in more convivial conversations.
When I raise this issue with mid-career pastors some agree that it is lacking and missing in their life. But they feel they will have plenty of time in the future, in their legacy season, to enjoy recreational pursuits.
My strong suggestion is to develop the habits and cadences now that will help there be a continuity of these healthful practices in the future. Just as we discipline ourselves in our spiritual lives, we need regular breaks and practices that restore us to new vigor.
These practices also help connect us with other people, often outside our regular church circles.
I hope in my future to take that river cruise, attend the Wodehouse convention or Churchill scholars conference.” End excerpt.
About the booklet:
The Pastor Legacy Life Plan booklet is a very small, short booklet I wrote to help mid-career or mid-journey pastors think about their legacy season, that season of life, amounting up to a third of productive time after they step down from being the primary leader of a church.
You can read it in less than 45 minutes to get the ideas, but implementing the plans will take longer.
IF you are a U.S. pastor, I will send you a free copy of the booklet. For my international friends, we will soon have a version for you as well.
The booklet helps you think through seven areas of life you need to plan for in the future legacy season.
We will all have a legacy. Most of it will be unintentional, but it can be intentional.
The person with an intentional plan is almost always more productive, fruitful and satisfied. Which do you want?
Write to me at dave.travis@generis.com to get your free booklet.
Great Things God Has Done Podcast - Bryan Carter
Bryan Carter joins me for this week’s podcast. Bryan is the pastor of Concord Church in Dallas, Texas.
We talk about his upbringing with his pastor/father. His move away from home and his eventual selection to follow a legend at his current ministry.
You will be inspired listening to Bryan. Don’t miss it.
Catch up with all the back episodes either on the site or in your favorite podcast app like iTunes or Stitcher.