What Does a Pastor Do on Vacation?

06/23/2009 -

I assume that many people think that pastors are strange people. Men who enjoy studying for a living (most people want to get done with school as fast as possible), preaching (most people hate public speaking), and hanging around hospitals and funerals must be a bit "off kilter." If you think pastors are strange, you're right. I admit it!

But let me be the first to tell you that pastors are also pretty normal people. Very normal in fact. Take my recent vacation for example. Much of our time was spent with family and friends, eating hotdogs, and downing soda (pop, for you northerners) by the gallon.

We did take in a few interesting sights while in the homeland of Ohio: We went to the President McKinley Memorial in Canton, a pretty cheap thrill for 5 bucks. The museam had dinosaurs which Elijah liked and a planetarium which Soriah liked. We also went to the Akron Zoo as well as a very quaint park call Tuscora Park near New Philadelphia.

Kelly and I both visited our aging grandparents. My grandfather is a legitimate war hero and fought at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. I asked him to tell the children the story of D-Day. Perhaps this may be the last time to hear this story from my grandfather's own mouth. We have to take every opportunity to enjoy these few remaining members of the "greatest generation."

My home church also threw us a impromptu party immediately after church on Sunday. Many people at Hudson Presbyterian Church stayed at the get-together until nearly 5pm. Wow. I was flattered by their interest in our new lives down here in Florida. I was surprised to hear that many of them follow our church on our podcasts and facebook.

Spiritually, my time on vacation was very fulfilling. I have been studying like a madman in preparation for our new sermon series "Creation and the Fall" which we are beginning this week. I have been using works by Wayne Grudem, Louis Berkhoff, Norman Geisler, and Jonathan Edwards for preparation. Also, I am slogging through John Calvin's great work "The Institutes of the Christian Religion" as I have been for serveral months now. This monumental work in the Reformed faith may be the single greatest influence in Protestant theology today. The book is so thick theologically as well as in length (over 1200 pages) that I have decided to read it slowly and purposely over a course of three years. I covered several chapters in my free time. Devotionally, I have been reading the Old Testament through and was afforded many opportunities to read the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles. As a pastor, I try to read the Scriptures first and foremost every day, before any other reading or work I have to accomplish in any given day. On the tail end of the trip I read through Revelation taking special note of the praise songs recorded in the heavenly scenes.

Finally, while on vacation, I want you to know that I prayed often for you, my people at Faith EPC. I took several "mini-retreats" while on vacation to pray for the staff, elders, deacons and worshippers belonging to this local expression of Christ's Body for which I have been given charge. There is not a day that this great responsibliity of prayer and preaching does not press down on me and challenge me to be a better man. Even when on vacation.

Can't wait to get back in the pulpit! See you Sunday!

Matthew

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