Christmas is one of the most stressful times of the year if you work at a church. There’s no getting around that. It’s like the playoffs for a church creative. The Superbowl. The Olympics. It’s where everything’s on the line.
The seats are full. The expectations are high. And the stakes are even higher.
So how do you go about surviving this time of year?making it into January without having to go through hours of therapy? Here are a few ideas for you. Follow these tips and get through the season with only a few extra gray hairs.
1. Keep Your Perspective
That creative element you’ve been working on for weeks might seem like the most important thing in the world. And if something were to happen where it didn’t work successfully… Or if the pastor decides it’s not right for the service… It can feel like the end of the world. But it isn’t.
Each element is only one small piece in the puzzle. We can’t let our whole year be ruined when one piece doesn’t work like we want it to.
2. Have Some Fun
Christmas is a fun season. If you aren’t getting to be part of it, you’re going to regret it. Go ice skating. Put up a tree. Start a snowball fight. Or find any way you can join in on the holiday fun while you’re working at the church. Force yourself to relax and have fun. Stress will try to rob you of the fun, but you mustn’t let it.
3. Monitor Your Diet
Yes, Red Bull might help you stay up that extra hour or two to work on the stage design or finish the video. But you’ll feel horrible in the morning.
It’s amazing how our diets affect our attitude. The wrong diet mixed with large amounts of stress can actually lead to depression. Eat healthy. Stay hydrated. Your body will thank you. Plus you might be able to avoid those weight-loss resolutions come January 1st.
4. Remember Your Boss’s Identity
You don’t work for your pastor. You don’t work for the church. You work for God. Even though the commands or?the money flow from your pastor or church, you ultimately answer to God. That means He’s the one you need to please. Keep your heart pure and do everything as unto Him. Don’t let others manipulate you into running more than you need to. Listen to what God would have you do and do that.
What are some of the ways you’ll survive this Christmas week?
