March 12, 2019 SHARE: Reading time: two minutes. Lent has begun and if you’re at all like me, you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the tasks of the season. Pastors, musicians and the whole team need to be at their very best and most efficient this time of year. With two services each week and with Holy Week looming, there’s little time for extra preparation. It’s like stepping up to the plate and being told, “You only get two strikes today!” This is a great time for delegation. The celebration of Lent and Easter is a mission effort of the entire congregation. Called workers and lay members alike want the Lenten experience of reflection, meditation and growth to be as powerful and significant as possible, so why not involve as many members of the Body of Christ as possible in the many tasks of ministry needed for a wonderful Easter celebration?We’re still far enough away from Holy Week to enlist and recruit servants of Christ to help bear the burden of the extra effort necessary for a blessed experience. This is a season for bringing the family of God together and serving alongside each other as an important way to build unity. The teacher always learns the most. The servant is always blessed in their acts of blessing others. If the pastor, or any member of the Body of Christ, is overfunctioning, serving beyond their capacity, the whole body suffers. Tasks are not performed as well. Those who could be blessed by an opportunity to labor in the harvest are denied the chance. This is a perfect time to ask questions like, “Who has gifts of music, art or service that would be honored to be involved?” “Who’s doing too much? Who could we ask to help them?” “Which tasks of Holy Week that I normally take care of myself could be delegated?” Lent is all about the body of Christ our Lord. He took this frail flesh upon Himself so that He might pour out His life for us. We honor the Lord when we honor His body, the Church, utilizing the gifts He has given to His honor and glory. Pastors, please remember that Jesus already gave His life for the Church. Overworking yourself into exhaustion, giving up your life for the Church would be superfluous and redundant. It’s not necessary because it’s already been done by the One who did it far better than you could. Take care of yourself. Be a blessing to your partners in ministry by honoring them with a call to serve. Enlist some help for this busy season. Thanks for reading. Our ministry is made possible by the generous donations of people just like you. Click here to discover how simple it is to make your gift of any size to Grace Place Wellness. Do you know someone who might be interested in becoming a major benefactor to sponsor a retreat in your area? Our President/CEO Randy Fauser would love to hear from you today!