The last thing Sydney needs is workaholic rectors.

Workaholic rectors are always working, the phone is never off, they feel no sense of value unless they are 'productive.'

They preach grace but live by works.

The catch cry defence offered is 'I'd rather burn out than rust out.'

I heard it recently described as 'Who can get into the mouth of the lion first' syndrome.

The consequences are sadly predictable. Tired grumpy stressed overextended miserable people who set themselves up for anxiety, depression, and an early grave. They surround themselves with people who are willing to 'suffer for Christ'. Those that don't are looked down on and resented as less serious about the gospel. 

Workaholic rectors may be lauded as hard workers but are rarely loved. They burn through assistant after assistant - none of whom are apparently made of sufficiently stern stuff.

Besides the impact on the individual, family, and church - gospel ministry itself suffers.

If ministers model the same or even worse work hours as the rest of Sydney then what hope can we offer it?

What counsel can we give the workaholic Dad who wants to spend more time in relationships that really matter? We can't if we're enslaved in the same ways of living -we have nothing to say.

We must instead be people of grace who serve out of that same grace.