Balance is a hot topic these days. People vary in their definition of what it means to be balanced. Some say it means equal time and energy given to various aspects of life. Others say it means achieving a certain level of life enjoyment and achievement. Regardless, balance is absolutely crucial to success in the ministry profession. Because of this, a more complete definition is necessary. True balance must include these four parts: the spinning plates, alignment, a work/rest pendulum and centering.

First, balance is spinning a number of plates without allowing any one plate to crash to the ground. This is the most common perspective. Balance is a person who works hard at the office, comes home to lovingly interact with the spouse and children, changes the oil in the car, and effectively chairs the committee at church – without forgetting any obligations. Imbalance is a person working late into every evening, neglecting family, foregoing exercise and forgetting about the committee meeting they were supposed to attend.

Second, balance is an alignment of the work to the strengths and values of the individual. An aligned person knows which plates should be spinning in the first place. Think back to a day when time flew by and you were having the time of your life. You felt engaged in your highest calling. You were 100-percent present at that moment. Chances are, you were operating within your personal gift mix and aligned with what you valued most. Experts say it’s important to spend at least 80 percent of each day engaged in activities where our strengths and values lie.

Third, balance involves swinging from rest to action and back to rest again. Watch a sensible weight lifter. They work on one set of muscles one day, rest and then go to another set of muscles. This gives tissues and fibers time to repair and grow. Farmers know the benefit of balance by allowing a field to lay fallow for a season. They give the soil time to produce nutrients for next season’s crops. In the same way, time off from the excursion of energy provides healing and reparation to our souls. We don’t rest from our work. We work from our rest. From rest, we are able to attack our work with renewed strength and energy.

Fourth, balance involves a centered approach to life. I don’t mean sitting in the middle of an empty room in a contorted body position, chanting a mantra over and over. Instead, balance is a state of being centered in God, living from the inside out. A balanced person serves with the guidance and rest God provides. They start each day giving God control over everything, from the beginning. They maintain an intimate relationship with Him above all else.

So, what does this mean for the person serving in ministry?

The ministry profession has led many pastors to a brick wall. Burnout is common. Therefore, it’s important to serve in balance. Here are four questions to ask. Your answers will give you insight into your own personal level of balance in ministry.

• How centered are you in the God who called you to your ministry?
• How consistent is your pendulum swing from rest to effort, back to rest?
• How aligned are you with your God-given strengths and values?
• How well are you doing at keeping all the right plates from falling?

Scott Couchenour is a certified life coach and member of the Christian Coaches Network and American Association of Christian Counselors. He founded Serving Strong, which resources, educates and coaches life balance and self care for ministry professionals. He’s been in ministry more than 20 years: full-time, bi-vocationally and volunteer; and has nearly 20 years experience as vice president of operations with Cogun Inc. His is e-mail is coach@progressmax.com or visit www.servingstrong.com.