It’s not that I don’t like summer or anything like that. I love the summer months. Living in Michigan, it is the glory of our state. But there are some things that I am experiencing right now that aren’t so fun.
- It’s jammed with stuff! One of the things I loved about Romeo in coming here was that the summers were benign. Not anymore. I switch from pastor-mode to quasi-babysitting mode.
- Pressure to plan early! Since I’m only part of the overall entertainment package for a lot of the students in our ministry, parents want to know early what I’ll be asking of them.
- What about me? Of course, in the mix is my annual family vacation. You know, that time of the year when I completely dedicate myself to spending time with the kids, Kristen, and the fish at Shavehead Lake? The hard part is planning stuff knowing I won’t be there. Eeks.
- Mission trip anyone? Almost lost in my summer plans is a massive and huge 3 week mission trip. Hello! I’m going to Belfast this summer. The best part about this trip is that it’s 100% funded and planned. All we really have to do now is show up. Phew!
- Financial recovery? nonsense! More spending!
- Internal pressure to “make something happen” Of course, amongst all the fun and fanfare is the reality that the church is trying to reinvent itself once again. We’re hoping to strategically use this summer as a time when we can double back our efforts and get some traction heading into the fall. I have a feeling that if I don’t “make something happen” there will be pressure on me to find another place to serve.
Enjoy summer! Remember when we were kids and summer was all about endless days of bike rides, summer camp, and little else?
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