BRANSON – It’s not Cirque du Soleil, and no one is riding a bicycle across a high wire while juggling study Bibles.
But the Minister’s Juggling Act helps those in ministry – who may feel at times they are spinning plates or walking a tightrope – to better balance ministry and family.
The focus is on helping pastors and their wives refresh, rejuvenate and reconnect.
The 8th Annual Minister’s Juggling Act took place Oct. 4-6 in Branson. The Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) sponsors the event each year and underwrites most of the cost so pastors from any size church can afford to attend.
Joe Ulveling, family ministry missionary for the MBC, served as host and led several sessions to encourage pastors and their wives. Also teaching were Rick and Sandee Hedger; Rick serves as partnership missions missionary for the MBC. Reggie Bergeron, worship leader at First Baptist Church, Forsyth, led in worship.
Ulveling has been in family ministry with the MBC for nearly 10 years. “One of the questions I get so often is, ‘How do I keep a balance between ministry and family’” he said. “That’s a never-ending struggle for those in ministry. What God laid on my heart as a response to that question is the Minister’s Juggling Act to help pastors keep that balance.”
Juggling Act is designed to be low-key: no ties allowed, no tight schedules, and plenty of time for ministers and their wives to enjoy time together in Branson. The event is limited to 50 couples to ensure a relaxed and intimate environment for fellowship, worship and Bible study.
Attendees are encouraged to slow down and relax so they will return to ministry with a fresh passion and perspective, according to Ulveling. “We consider Juggling Act an investment in the ministry of pastors and their families,” he said. “It’s a getaway, an opportunity for pastors and their wives to refocus on their main priorities, not the least of which is each other.”
During a session on being a man of courage, Ulveling addressed common pitfalls for those in ministry. One is taking on too much responsibility. “The busyness of ministry can pull us away from our walk and closeness with God,” said Ulveling. “We can get so busy ‘doing’ for God that we forget just ‘being’ with Him.”
In another session on setting examples, Rick Hedger spoke from 1 Tim. 4:12 on what the apostle Paul meant by being an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Our kids are watching, he noted.
“If our kids grow up hearing us teach the truth but not seeing the truth in us, they will come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter,” he said.
Later, he remarked, “I can’t impress upon you enough the importance of being the ‘fashion’ for Christian leadership. Just as people follow the clothing styles of people they admire, your church members will conform to the spiritual ‘fashion’ of their pastor.”
MBC Executive Director John Yeats closed the event by leading pastors and their wives in prayers of blessing over one another.
Another Minister’s Juggling Act is scheduled Oct. 10-12, 2013. For more information on MBC family ministries, visit www.mobaptist.org/family.