The Big Ministry Small Town Summit is designed to engage, encourage, and equip leaders that serve in small towns and communities. The goal of Big Ministry in Small Summits is to see smaller town of Texas filled with Great Commission, Great Commandment churches and Christian workers for the glory of God.

Today, I attended a portion of the conference hosted by First Baptist Church for Texas Baptists. I signed up a while back to hear two sessions that were of interest to me.

The first one, Self-care is not Selfish, a Study of Mark 6:31, led by DESHUN AVERY, Pastor, First Progressive Baptist Church, Lubbock, TX.

Mark 6:31 reads, Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

It was a much-needed Holy Spirit conversation for me. My takeaway thoughts (mine, not necessarily his) ...

We can be so busy that we don't take time to care for the created self.

We must take action to purposely improve.

We must refuel ... take time with Jesus to get what we need.

Passion can fuel us, but it can't continue unless we refuel.

You can be at home or in ministry and still be absent.

Do those we serve become wiser, stronger, and servant leaders?

God says, All who are weary, come to me!

If you lose oxygen, you must use the facemask FIRST!

We often make bad choices when we are weary.

Weariness = tired, numb, short fuse, illness, retreat, a loss of interest, feelings of inadequacy.

Burnout = depleted!

“To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.” Mother Teresa

The Word of God stands by itself.

We need to simply deliver what God gives us!

Think about the cycle of ministry as pregnancy. You plan, study, nurture, deliver and then start all over again!

We must care for the physical, spiritual, and mental health of the created us.

We can say, pray, but if we don't extend from that into service, we miss the beat.

Every day with Jesus, is sweeter than the day before!

We often carry heavy loads of confidential information and requests that are so heavy; think about the Cross, and the burden is much lighter.

Problem people are different than people with problems.

Leading on "E" means riding on fumes, and that will kill you!

Every day is purposeful!

We must delegate and let others lead their way. It's ok!

Show others how to lead in peace from self-care:

• set boundaries
• create breaks
• discover renewal
• seek support
• have reflection moments
• rest
• navigate with organized time management

Where is our spot to rest & rejuvenate?

Restructure... restore ... recharge!

Keeping the pace versus running the race is learning to run to 'feel God' rather than keeping to a pace.

I also heard a lesson on Mental Health & Soul Care in Small Towns led by SHARLA KNIPPA, LPC Counselor, Mosaic Counseling, PLLC and Waypoints Counseling, PLLC

I want to share several scriptures to investigate...

Romans 12:2, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Matthew 22:37, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

1 Timothy 4:8, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Philippians 4:8, Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Matthew 14:22-23, Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone

Luke 6:12-13, One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

ark 6:30-32, The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

Mark 7:24, Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.

Luke 22:41, He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed

Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

Reading these shows us the self-care example of Christ.

Some Mental Health resources:

988 24/7 Suicide Crisis Hotline

Crisis Hotline 1.806.692.4039

text HOME to 741741

After the sessions, I discovered that bees love pumpkin patch blooms and often go there for self care relaxation...