Balance Versus Focus?

“Trying to be balanced is often the enemy of remaining focused.”

I saw this quote somewhere several days ago and it keeps following me everywhere I go. It’s been haunting me. I think I know why. So I’m getting my thoughts down before the moment passes. Here goes.

Planting Churches

I understand the call of church planting is hard work.  It takes a commitment of time, resources, energy and a whole lot of faith. There are details to cover, people to inspire and motivate, music to rehearse, multimedia to prepare and events to plan – each week. Church planting isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for those with a great big vision and the drive to see it through.

Church Planters are driven. They have a deep-seated desire to bring the Good News to people who are being pursued by God but don’t yet know it. I read somewhere that a lot of successful Planters are either “high D” or “high I” on the DiSC personality profile. These are fast-paced people who get things done. To borrow a phrase from the past, they are “movers and shakers.”

Life Balance or Life Focus?

So how does a mover or a shaker see life balance? How do they view self care? Reading the quote above, one might conclude balance and self care are a nuisance; something for wimps or ego-centered. Perhaps balance and self care are viewed as barriers to successfully growing a new body of believers.

But what about the Planter’s marriage? What about their kids? Where does physical fitness fit in? How does the Planter stay focused on the strength that only comes from the God of John 15? What about the household budget or continuing education?

 Are we sending the wrong message in the church planting community that the only thing worth pursuing is the ministry? How does a Planter stay focused on the work of his/her call when creditors are calling every other day? How is focus at the church maintained when the marriage at home is falling apart or the kids are pursuing destructive paths? What gets done for the church when the Planter is laid up in bed with pneumonia?

Swing

I firmly believe a Planter is more than a Planter. I believe they are multi-faceted. I believe there must be attention given to each facet in appropriate measure over time. I believe a Planter will have a greater chance at success in the long run when balance is part of the equation. But let me clarify. I don’t mean to advocate pursuing balance for balance sake. The goal is not to be balanced. The goal is to fulfill the call of God on our lives. Balance is a healthy way to remain faithful to the call.

Are you a Church Planter?

What do you think? Is the pursuit of life balance the enemy of focus?

I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts on the subject.

photo credit

Comments

[David Waters]

Don't complicate anything. Church and church planting are simple things. JESUS will build His church. Just play your part and be mature to understand that burn out helps no one.
Balance? - Plan time off. Failing to plan is planning to fail!

[b]

Church burnout and lack of balance not only can happen to the planter but those attached to helping the planter. This is what happen to me as a minister/member of a church plant. This planter/pastors has a tendency to pull too much on the few willing members in the church and the members become burned out as well. This church had about 12 ministers willing to get this church going. However eventually 8 of the ministers eventually left in 2007-2009. The ministers were doing all of the work despite the fact we had about 100 members. The members didn't want to help out as much.
What happens to the head always affects the body of believers. I left this church after 7 years. I was burned out, tired and hurt. My personal life, career aspiration and finances were jacked up because all my time was spent doing things for the ministry. I had no time of my own to rest and do as Jesus did. If I want to schedule vacations, the pastor made a negative comment about me wanting to go on vacation. However the pastors took their vacation often but it was frown upon if her ministers needed time to rest sometimes. There should be training for pastors to make sure they don't affect their membership with burnout. Sometimes I think churches have more busy activity going on instead of effective activity that will bring someone to Christ. Leaders should audit and determine is what they are doing in the church plant stage effective or just busy work. This is one of the things the church I left failed to do in the church plant stage. We always had meetings, activities going on but it was not always effective in winning people to Christ. There was inconsistent consideration for persons with small children. Bible study during a school night should never go on until 9:30 pm -10 pm. Pastors should teach themselves and their congregation about rest, balance and not burning out while doing God's work. Thanks for writing this blog. It has confirmed what I often encourage others to live on point, balanced and on purpose for God.

[Scott Couchenour]

I like your emphasis on simplicity, David. Right on!

[Scott Couchenour]

B - Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a lot of pain in your experience. Take this and help make others' experience more positive. Thanks for the encouragement. Let's have an all-out assault on burnout!