Top 10 Things Pastors Should Do During the Holidays

In the 1947 hit film The Bishop’s Wife, and the subsequent remake in 1996 (The Preacher’s Wife), the pastor and his wife are burdened by the work and cares of the church, and her parishioners during the holiday season. The stress of ministry is choking out the joys of life. In both films, the pastors display a sense of overwhelm and symptoms of depression. It’s anxious feelings and a depressive disposition that serve as the cause of a prayer of desperation that resulted in a long-term visit from an angel who has come to serve as the “assistant” to the pastor. The films force us to reflect on the constant overwork and overwhelm that persists throughout the year and could very well culminate in a sense of hopelessness at the close of the year. Can I do anything right? What’s the point of all of this? Why should I keep doing this if I’m not making a difference?

Allow us to dispossess you of those kinds of destructive thought patterns. You may not have reached your evangelism or stewardship goals this year, nevertheless, your work is still meaningful and invaluable. There is a temptation to allow the overwhelm to envelop you during the holiday season. So allow us to revise your to-do list and redirect your focus on this list of most important activities during these final days of the year.

So here they are; the top 10 things every pastor should do during the holidays.

10. Call a few members who you haven’t seen in a while. Whether they are sick, grieving, or simply M.I.A., let them know that you love them and you are thinking of them. Pray a short prayer of blessing for them.

9. Take time to reach out to friends and family who are far away to let them know that you love and appreciate them.

8. Choose a special gift or activity to give or to do especially for children from the pastor.

7. Avoid attending EVERY holiday event and program that is scheduled.

6. Choose a favorite self-care activity, and reserve time to enjoy and be refreshed.

5. Shut down the office and leave early at least once during the holiday season.

4. Set aside time for a special family worship to acknowledge sacred truths from God’s word that are pertinent to the holiday season.

3. Enjoy time with your family with fun, games, fellowship, meals, and whatever holiday traditions you enjoy. Need a new holiday tradition? Today is a great day to start one.

2. Rest. Sleep. Nap. Snore. Slumber. Snooze. Relax. Call it what you want. Take time to recharge your body.

1. Give thanks to God for all the blessings of this year, and pray a prayer of hope for the new year.