Advent is blue for a reason

thedepressedpastor — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:52:24 +0000

In the Church Year, there are various seasons. Each season has a color assigned to it. For example, the season of Advent which we are currently in, is either blue or purple. I would argue that Advent is blue and for a reason. For many pastors, the season of Advent is a very depressing time. It means extra services, more work in service planning and an overall sense of being behind. There is a pressing need to make sure that shut-ins are seen especially during this time, as they may be forgotten by friends and family during the Christmas season. A pastor now will have an extra worship service to plan and conduct (or more if he serves a multiple parish). That means an extra sermon. What does a pastor do about Bible studies during Advent? He may have a single Bible study during the week or he may have multiple. Does he continue with all of them or do they go on hiatus until after the New Year? Here in my parish, we have multiple Bible studies during the week, each one different. That means I have to plan not just one Bible study for the week, but multiple. It has been the tradition of my parish to put Bible studies on hiatus during December, with the exception of Sunday morning. That is helpful to me, but what about to the pastor who feels as if he must have every Bible study scheduled as-is?

Needless to say, the season of Advent, and the entire month of December, can be draining on a pastor, both physically and emotionally. I always look forward to a vacation right after Christmas, but that may not happen for every pastor. During December, a pastor is running at 200% and still has things on his “To-Do” list. Through all of this, a pastor has to have a smile on his face and seem as if nothing is bothering him.

During this Advent season and the entire month of December, make sure you tell your pastor that you appreciate him and gently remind him to slow down and enjoy the seasons of Advent and Christmas along with his members. And finally, strongly encourage him to take a vacation following Christmas. It will not only do him well, but his family and the congregation as well. A pastor can only run at 200% for so long before he burns out.

Welcome to the Depressed Pastor

thedepressedpastor — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:35:40 +0000

Welcome to the Depressed Pastor. I am a pastor who is dealing with early depression. I will be posting my thoughts of what it means to be a pastor and depressed and other thoughts and observations regarding depression.