Have you noticed that one of the most difficult tasks that one faces is that of balance? It is true for both the secular or religious person. It is a struggle for the common man but it seems an almost impossible task for a pastor!

There seems always something that is trying to push me into one extreme or the other. I am drawn to either fanaticism or complacency. In 1976, I was pastoring a small country church in Eupora, Mississippi. I was visiting in the little hospital (about 20 beds) and I noticed that an elder minister from my congregation was standing outside the door to one of the rooms. He was dressed in suit and tie so I assumed that he was visiting someone but  had to leave for a short time while the doctor or a nurse was in the room tending to the patient. I walked over and spoke to him and asked who he was visiting. He lifted his wrist and showed me the name-band and said that HE was the patient – dressed in suit, coat & tie!! It was his belief that he should be in the “uniform” of a minister – even when he was a patient in the hospital. To me, it was a LOT over the top! The last time I was a patient in the hospital, I wore pj’s and house shoes.

But, I have had my share of extreme moments also. I suspect that we all have. Dr. Kenny Flaming (http://www.kennyflaming.blogspot.com/) sent me the link to a YouTube video titled, “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to be Pastors.” Watch it here:

Personally, I can see ME in some of those little things. I see Viv (my wife) almost perfectly portrayed in the wife. It is humorous but it demonstrates the dilemma of needing balance.

Is it wrong to do any of those things? Probably not of themselves but the problem arises when those things take such a priority in our lives that nothing else seems important. Some Christians wear their fanaticism like a “badge” of “super-spirituality” and “self-sacrificing obedience” to God. I realize that we made vows to God but we also made vows to our spouse! Is it God’s desire that I discount my marital vows in order to fanatically observe my vows to Him? I think not.

BTW, the Florida Hospital Church (http://www.hospitalchurch.org/) that produced the video above, also produced several other videos. In my attempts to find balance & become more “human” and less of a mechanical “pastor robot,” I have often been guilty of some of the faults demonstrated in another of their videos titled, “Before He Speaks.” Watch it here:

I hope this article & these videos will help us understand the need for (some humor – and) balance. That we should not go too far in either extreme on anything. What do you think? Tell us in the comments below…