Insights from in and around the association

      UBA Voices      

Josh Ellis Josh Ellis

3 Pastor Appreciation Gifts Ministers Really Want

For those of you who have never had the blessing of being a pastor—and maybe you even wonder why pastor appreciation month exists—allow me to provide some clarity and suggestions for Pastor Appreciation Month

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Marie Burrus Marie Burrus

Pastor Appreciation Month—Why is it Important?

Regardless of your church or staff size, take care of the people who feel God’s call on their life to lead and take care of you. From ministry interns to senior pastors, we need them at their best, because they often see us at our worst.

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Marie Burrus Marie Burrus

Finding Joy in the Stillness

There is nothing quite like receiving a gift—especially those gifts we did not ask for and did not see coming. Young or old, rich or poor, culture to culture, it is all the same. Without hesitation, the mental checklist begins with how to get the most use out of what has been handed to us to change us for the better. This unexpected season of stillness is a gift to those who use it well.

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Marie Burrus Marie Burrus

Good News for the Over- and Underachiever

Are you an over- or underachiever? If you're anything like me, the answer is probably: yes. It's easy to fall into either ditch depending on the task, the season of life, or how much coffee you have or haven't had. Whatever your inclination, the solution isn't to dive into the other ditch; it's to find the right balance on the path forward. We need godly self care—not as an escape but true restoration.

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UBA Staff UBA Staff

The Best Work/Life Balance

Recently, I was told that I have the best work/life balance of anyone on the team. We were joking because I never leave vacation on the table at the end of the year, and I fuss at the other staff if they do. UBA doesn’t hire slackers, so it is not uncommon for one of the staff to get a little wrapped up in work, the to-do list, and unexpected challenges that arise. Before you know it, things are out of balance.

Over the years, however, I’ve come to believe that holding all the areas of my life in balance before God brings honor to him. My theology about balance involves the belief that all the aspects of my life are meant to be lived fully to the glory of God. Here's what that has looked like for me.

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