What is your purpose this Advent?

It's not too late to consider your purpose at church this Advent. At this point you may say, "to survive." Or, "I don't have time to think about my purpose! We have to finish the budget, or I have to visit shut-ins, or I still have to plan the Christmas Eve worship."

Take five minutes and think about your purpose. You'll be less stressed and have a more meaningful experience.

Here are a few ideas:

My purpose this Advent is to provide compelling worship experiences.

Or:

My purpose this Advent is to offer a pastoral presence to my congregation and individuals within it.

Or:

My purpose this Advent is to carry out my ministry and personal tasks without feeling frantic.

Or:

My purpose is to be present to my children even with the busy-ness at church.

Of course, clergy have more than one duty to fulfill. You may still have to attend the budget meeting even if you decide your main purpose is compelling worship.  And you probably won't want to miss the council meeting even if your kids want you to stay home that night.

We all have competing commitments. But that five minute thinking session will help you make choices through the next two weeks. If you want to offer a pastoral presence, you will find it easier to make at least some of those visits you've been putting off. If you want to avoid feeling frantic, you might skip that one last trip to the mall or the last-minute sermon rewrite (it's probably good enough...).

What is your purpose this Advent?

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