Don’t neglect your souls, bishop says

“As you tend to the business of saving souls, beware that in saving souls you neglect your own.”
Bishop Joel N. Martinez delivered that message at the close of the 2004 Bishop’s Convocation for clergy members in Kerrville.
“We are pulled to and fro, networked with thousands or tens of thousands of people who count on us for something important in their lives,” Martinez told more than 300 convocation participants. “It’s important for clergy to find personal spiritual space in which to practice our beliefs.
“Beware of being absorbed by the job. Hold out for the well-lived, soulful life.”
Clergy members from all seven Southwest Texas Conference districts spent March 7 and 8 in worship and in workshops at Mount Wesley Conference Center. They reflected on messages from two prominent United Methodist theologians about “Offering Christ to All.”
Both the Rev. Billy Abraham and Bishop William B. Oden had spoken about what Martinez called “Wesley’s singular priority”—saving souls.
“As we seek to be in ministry together,” Martinez said, “we cross again and again the fine line between a job well done and a life well lived.”