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July 22, 2010
 

Schaeffer's Football Camp Photos

Thanks to Coach Tommy Jones and the coaching staff and players of Lumpkin County High School for a great football camp this week. It was hot and sweaty—just like football in July should be. After all, this is SEC country. If you can't take the heat, join the Big 10 or PAC 10. Bring on September!
                     
Click here to download:
Schaeffers_Football_Camp_Photo.zip (1044 KB)

Filed under  //   family   personal  

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May 28, 2010
 

Picnic at Amicalola Falls State Park (Photos)

Tonight for "Family Night" we drove to Amicalola Falls State Park (about 15 miles west of our house). Food, frisbee, and creekwalkin'. The quote of the evening may have been Sarah Wynn. As we continued walking up the creek to toward the 700 plus foot falls, with small falls all along the trail, she exclaimed, "There are adventures around here everywhere!" 

                                               
Click here to download:
Picnic_at_Amicalola_Falls_Stat.zip (1841 KB)

Filed under  //   family   personal  

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May 25, 2010
 

Frontloading the Recharge

WARNING: This post is of the longer variety. My apologies in advance.

For years I have been trying to figure out how to design a pace for work and life that provides both rest and energy, as well as time for family and ministry. Several vocations are like being a church planter, such as the rancher, coach, or physician, where it seems like the work is never done, and that we are "on" 7 days a week (or at least there are very few days where we can be totally off to fully recharge mind, spirit, body, and soul). Boundaries tend to get very loose and, eventually, all of life becomes work (even if the work doesn't look like work to others). And for the pastor type, much of the work is not in the production side, but in the preparation side. Meaning, much of the energy spent is mental/thinking/exercising the brain. And yes, even the brain needs a break. If you run a car at 6,000 rpms without ceasing, eventually it will crack. Just like folks who lift heavy stuff for a living need to rest the back, those whose work involves moving heavy mental loads, mind processing and interpersonal interaction need to rest the mind. 

To change the metaphor, a lithium-ion battery, when not fully recharged, loses its capacity for a full recharge, thus diminishing not only the length of its battery life, but also the power of a single charge. If not recharged to capacity, the batteries effectiveness is reduced significantly, and what was once a source of power becomes a useless object destined for the recycling bin. 
 
I love my job so much, the people whom I get to work with, and where I live, that I don't want to end up like a worn out lithium-ion battery.  I also love my family, and do not want to look back over my life with the regret that I very rarely was able to give them the kind of focused attention that I give to my job and the folks in the church. 
 
Here is what I have realized. For many, the traditional weekend provides time and space to recharge for the Monday through Friday work week. But what if the weekend is the crescendo of one's work week? When is there time and space to substantially, fully recharge? Like a lithium battery, long term, emotional, physical and spiritual health requires both work and rest. If I intend to have a reservoir of emotional and spiritual energy to do my work well, refusal to cease my work and rest is dumb at best and idolatrous at worst. For me, I confess that I struggle with both dumbness and idolatry when it comes to work. As hard as I try, I usually do not know when, or how, to let off the gas. First of all, I love what I do. But if I loved to ride horses, I'd have to give my ride a healthy break now and then, or else get used to walking.
 
So here is my latest plan: front-load the recharge. Here is what I mean. Essentially, Sunday is my Friday, the culmination of a cycle of weekly labor. Saturdays and Sundays are major drain days on my personal battery. This is not a bad thing at all. It just means that I spend a great deal of battery power on the weekend, culminating on Sunday. So for me, my "weekend" would be Monday and Tuesday, preparing me for a Wednesday through Sunday work week. These days are not just days to recover from the past week, but to rest and recharge for the week to come.
 
Now, I have never tried this "Monday/Tuesday as weekend" approach. However, I am going to give it a shot for a few months to see how it goes. If my work suffers, then I'll rethink the plan. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that if I am adequately (fully?) recharged by front-loading personal renewal into my week, then I will be much more effective as a husband, father, and church planter. Furthermore, one of the biggest days when people can connect is Saturday (not Monday or Tuesday). What a great opportunity to plan hikes, ultimate frisbee get-togethers, picnics, etc.?  Yes, in my line of work, even those fun things are work, since my vocational role of pastor involves being with and ministering to real folks. It's just one more reason why I love my job. :)  But if I am not operating on a healthy battery, then I will be ineffective when spending time with people.
 
What will this mean on a very practical level?
1. Sunday night I will turn my cell phone off, and turn it back on Wednesday morning
2. Sunday night I will put an auto-reply on my email informing folks that I will be away from email on Monday and Tuesday
3. I will schedule meetings and appointments from Wednesday through Saturday/Sunday, primarily on Wednesdays and Fridays
4. I will reserve Wednesday for administration and Wed. night for church related activities
5. I will focus on sermon prep primarily on Thursdays and Saturdays
6. I will focus on pastoral contacts on Fridays
7. I will focus on leading worship and preaching on Sunday
8. I will reserve Thursday night for Date Night with Kristy
9. I will reserve Friday night for Family Night with the kids
 
These are just a few ideas. Thanks for your encouragement and support! By the way, if you have any thoughts on this subject, please let me know. 
 
UPDATE #1-
Just making sure that folks do not think that I want to work LESS. Far from it. I want to work better and longer. I want to be more effective as a pastor and as a husband and father.  I've seen too many guys want to "succeed" in ministry go like nitrous, burn out, and leave a church or ministry just to catch their breath- only to see the cycle repeat itself. In know because I've been that guy, and don't want to be him again. Grace teaches all of us to avoid the twin errors of laziness and workaholism. Don't just work hard; work smart. Take a break. Go walking with your wife. Play in the creek with your kids. 
 

Filed under  //   ministry   personal   renewal  

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March 23, 2010
 

Why I Love North GA: Sermon Prep Tomorrow @ Raven Cliff Falls

via secretfalls.com

Since tomorrow is supposed to be in the low 70s and sunny, I'm taking my Bible and a notebook (maybe even my laptop) on a hike with me to Raven Cliff Falls. I think it will be a perfect place for sermon prep. :) This is a short video of the trail and falls.

UPDATE:  By the way, that is not my voice on the video. I found it online at secretfalls.com. :)

Filed under  //   hiking   personal  

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March 14, 2010
 

New (Tentative) Weekly Schedule

Now that Creekstone has launched, I've been putting a lot of thought into how to spend my time. The above schedule lists the primary ministry focus areas for each day. Even thought this does not list things such as leading the men's study, leading team meetings, social gatherings, youth activities, etc., I think having a primary focus each day will help keep things "between the lines." Pray that it really does help, and that if it does, that I will stick to it. Thanks!

Filed under  //   creekstone   personal   schedule   time management  

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January 2, 2010
 

Hiking the Georgia AT in 2010

One of my goals for 2010 is to hike the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail, with the aim of doing the whole thing (to Maine) over the next 10 years. Here is a map of the 76 mile GA portion, which I hope to enjoy with my son through a combination of day and overnight hikes.

Filed under  //   hiking   personal  

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December 30, 2009
 

"...as Christ Loved the Church"

Every now and then the reality sinks in of my complete failure to love my wife well. I am naturally task oriented, quite unthoughtful of others, and often completely self-absorbed with myself. Yes, I know. Why did she marry me in the first place? Well, our "dark sides" often do not manifest themselves fully until we are comfortable enough around our spouses to let the "real me" out. Then it's too late for them to turn back! : )  

Anyway, as I have reflected upon what it means to love a wife well (particularly mine), I began thinking of tasks and personality improvements/alterations that I need to make—all law changes. Then the passage that covers it all, and makes marriage counseling quite simple, hit me: "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church, and gave himself up for her." Crud. Now it's even worse than I thought. So what now?  How about some fresh repentance (to put me in my place- the sinners seat)? How about some fresh faith in the saving work of Jesus (who took my place in the sinners seat)?  After all, I am part of that church whom Jesus loved to death. That is how well he loved me—with a gospel love. 

You know, how often have I used that expression, "I love her to death." Really?  Not yet. Well, Jesus did. And the more I can embrace that dying love for me, the more likely it will be that I will be able to love my wife well. Perfectly? I'm afraid not. But love well? By grace, I hope so. 

Filed under  //   devotional   ephesians   personal  

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December 19, 2009
 

Reflections at 41

While enjoying a birthday rest yesterday afternoon, in a state of semi-grogishness I began to reflect on being 41. Here are some of those thoughts. They are not necessarily deep or profound, nor in any particular order... and I'll probably add a few more before the day is out.

  1. I've finally made enough mistakes to have some helpful experience.
  2. Unfortunately, I realize that I have lots of mistakes left in me... so those folks who are 81 are the ones to look to for the most helpful experience. After all, Moses didn't even really get out of the gate until 80.
  3. "Assuming" is almost always a mistake.
  4. I think I know myself better than ever, which is scary. When I was in my 20s, I thought I was kind of okay. Now I have discovered what a mess I really am. 
  5. I'm realizing that I'll never read all of the books that I want to read, nor write all the books that I want to write. So relax, McKay. Go take that nap by the fire.
  6. I think I just might be mortal after all. 
  7. I wish I had prayed more– not ritually or formally, but relationally to God as my Abba, Father... just talking, being real, honest, needy. Why not begin now?
  8. I do not feel old. Tired, yes. But not necessarily "old." Maybe 40 really is the new 30.
  9. Sentimental idealism is slowly being replaced with biblical realism. 
  10. The world (especially my own heart) looks darker and more evil that it used to, but the gospel is looking brighter and more hopeful than it used to as well.
  11. I have come to hate duty bound, legalistic, rule-oriented, petty, ingrown, spirit-less, two-faced, hypocritical religion; mainly because feeling quite comfortable in that context is one of my biggest sins.
  12. I long for a church that "glorifies God by helping people come alive to the wonder of the gospel"... period.
  13. I am thankful for a wife who loves me the way the Bible defines love, not as reward, but as grace.
  14. I am grateful for my children. I believe that they genuinely love Jesus because they know Jesus genuinely loves them.  And though they struggle with their own sin natures, I see the Spirit cultivating a real desire to obey and honor me. I don't deserve it, but they still desire it, and express it in so many thoughtful ways.
  15. Some decisions that I would NOT change if I had the chance: asking Kristy to be my wife, going to seminary to study, becoming a teaching pastor, having our children, and choosing to live and plant a new church in Dahlonega, GA, my "briar patch."
  16. I'd like to cut down on my face-time with my email, and replace that with face-time with my wife and kids.
  17. I don't just want to preach "good sermons," but raw and uncut messages that storm Golgatha, because the cross is our only hope.
  18. I want to be more of an evangelist for the gospel than I am for my Mac. 

Filed under  //   birthday   personal   reflections  

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December 18, 2009
 

"You Say It's Your Birthday..."

Thanks for all the facebook birthday wishes. I'm feelin' the love!

Filed under  //   personal  

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December 12, 2009
 

It Once Was Lost...

I am rejoicing in Luke 15 fashion tonight after finding my lost Mino video camera. It has a lot of family footage that I have yet to upload to Vimeo. It once was lost, but now is found!

Filed under  //   personal  

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