I’m back!  I know I haven’t posted anything in a few weeks, but here I am back in the groove.  Today I want to just give you a bit of insight into my life.  I know that I encourage transparency here at Foothills.  I also know that it is important for me to model this quality.  I hope the following post helps to accomplish this and encourage others to do the same.

I am completely sold out to the course that God has called me to, but that doesn’t mean staying the course is easy.  Many people have asked me and those close to me; “How’s Dale doing?”  “How is he holding up with the three services.”  People have been concerned with me burning myself out.  So for those who want to know, let me answer some of these questions.

During the first week of march Lisa and I took a week off and spent it in Arizona.  Some dear people in the church blessed us and allowed us to stay in a home they own.  This picture is from that trip.  This was the first time in 22 years of marriage that just Lisa and I have spent a week together without kids or anything relating to ministry.  Needless to say, we had an amazing week together.

If I am going to stay the course and be the Pastor God wants me to be and Foothills needs me to be, I must have time away from the ministry.  You see, I was tired.  I was mentally, emotionally, and spiritually spent.  The three services were taking more of a toll on me than I realized.  I’m an adrenaline junky.  I can run this way for quite a while, but over time, it takes a toll.  Working 6 days a week every week is demanding.  Please understand that I am not complaining.  I LOVE what I do.  It’s just not easy.  The difficulty is not a physical issue, but an internal issue.  The lifestyle that I lead is internally demanding and draining.  I know that I may give the impression that everything just flows so effortlessly in my life but this is far from the truth.  This course is hard and it requires great effort to walk it successfully.

In order to stay the course I have to look at strategic times away.  I have to monitor my life even better.  I have to do the things that put back what was spent.  This requires that at times, Lisa and I need to be away from the Molalla area.  I know, you’re thinking why does he have to leave Molalla?  Because not only am I the Pastor of a large church in a small community, I also grew up here.   For a moment, just try to imagine how many people know me in this area.  I literally cannot go into a store in Molalla and not know someone.  Please know that I love this fact 95% of the time.  But there are moments when I don’t want to be “Pastor Dale”.  For me to recharge, I have to be away from that title and the expectations that come with it.  Therefore, sometimes Lisa and I just need to step away geographically.

So pray for me as I do my best to stay the course.  When you notice I’m gone at a weekend service, know that Lisa and I are off somewhere recharging letting God replenish us internally.  Remember that this time is strategic to be able to stay the course for the rest of my life.  This is never time wasted.  It is time invested.  The pace at which the ministry requires of me will probably mean I will be away a little bit more than I used to be.  I just ask that you would be supportive of this knowing that I am trying to be the Pastor that you need me to be.  So no, I’m not burning out.  I am staying the course!

I love all of you.  Serving you is one of the greatest joys and honors of my life.  The course may be hard, but it is truly glorious and worth every ounce of effort.  Thank you for sharing it with me.

Pastor Dale