The simple answer to the question, “What do you do?” is a tricky one. My answer is typically, “I’m a pastor to healthcare professionals in the Western region of the US.” What that looks like is very diverse.
I was on our Student Pulse Podcast a few months ago and shared the interview with my family so they could learn about what I do. After listening to it, my dad said something like, “Yeah, I still have no idea what you do.”
It can be summed up in three categories: Connecting, Planning, and Developing. While it doesn’t sound particularly pastoral, it is actually more similar than you might imagine.
- Connecting
This happens in many ways, but mostly word of mouth, emails, and texts.
A. People to information
- Responding with information to people when they ask for information about CMDA or a situation that relates to them.
- Recalling people when I learn of information to share with them
B. Information for people
- Announcing an event, update, or general FYI
- Sharing with our national team info from our region
C. People to people
2. Planning
It feels like I’m always planning for something (aren’t we all?). These can be a plethora of things:
- Travel arrangements for a trip
- Meetings on Zoom or over coffee locally
- Events
- Messages for a group with whom I’m sharing/speaking
It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life, emails, and “squirrels” that distract us, but dedicated time to plan—without distractions—is vital (for all of us).
3. Developing
We are all developing something—even if it’s a way to survive! I hope I’m always at least developing myself—we all need it! Granted, that may not be during “work time,” but it must be part of my consideration as I develop what I am in this role.
A. Systems to help accomplish #1 both personally and amongst our Campus & Community team
B. Strategies to accomplish:
- The goals our team has (currently to grow & strengthen community chapters – currently 13 in the west)
- Student leader & campus growth region-wide
C. Understanding of healthcare culture to know the needs & …
D. Rhythms … that has been the thing I haven’t quite figured out in this role. I probably never will, but from traveling and being “on” for 5-10 days to adjusting to office work back home & being with family, rhythms have been nearly impossible to keep consistent.
E. Spiritually (one might call it a Rule of Life.) Working through “Practicing the Way” (by John Mark Comer) with a small group has been profoundly healthy for Sherry and my Spiritual Life. I’m eager to get into more of a rhythm!
As I consider these buckets, I guess we all do this every day. Hopefully, this helps my dad understand what I do (and you?), but more importantly, it gives you pause enough to consider what and with whom you are connecting, planning, and developing.
With joy,
Wes