Author: cheez
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Best Job In The World – Being A Pastor
Parish ministry is still the best job in the world. But who believes this anymore? And why should they? Attitudes about the church have changed so much that it was inevitable that young people look askance at the idea of a career as clergy-person. Over the years, we have talked with so many clergy who…
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Ministry Burnout and The Clergy Sabbatical
Recently, I read an article about ministry burnout. One of the author’s preventive measures to avoid burnout is to make sure the pastor takes one day a week “off.” I had to re-read this. What? Do people today really believe that the way to make sure pastors don’t burnout is to encourage them to take…
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Travel The Home Exchange Way: More Vacation With Less Money
Vacations are very important for families, couples, and individuals. An obvious benefit to travel is to “see the world,” broaden your horizons, and create space away from your everyday life-perspective. Vacations are good for relationships. You have time to enjoy your family or spouse: time to talk, plus you get to share new experiences together. …
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Using A Mobile Phone in England
This summer, we are traveling to England for a home exchange. We will have the use of the phone and internet at the home where we will be staying. But, what should we do about cell phones when we are out and about, sightseeing? We live in the USA. We have an IPhone 4. Verizon…
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Pastor Swap? Home Swap? Or Ministry Swap?
What is the difference between a home swap, a pastor swap, and a ministry swap? The difference is one of focus and complexity. The home swap (also known as a “home exchange”), leaves the identity of those negotiating the home swap open-ended. Instead of focusing on who is doing the swap, the focus is on the…
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TV Reality Show Involving A Home Exchange
Recently, I read about an upcoming TV reality show scheduled to be produced in Great Britain. What got my attention is that the show will set up home exchanges for families–and then film them. The upcoming reality show, “Twin Towns,” promises to pay all the expenses for two families living in “Sister Cities” to exchange…
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Got The Clergy Sabbatical Grant Blues?
It’s not about the money–well, maybe it is. OK. You have a sabbatical policy at your church. You are ready to start planning your first ministry sabbatical. You have your congregation’s blessing to take a sabbatical, but the funding is up to you. No problem, you’ll just go to a foundation that distributes clergy sabbatical…
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The Drama Of A Home Exchange
I’ve always felt that home exchanges were for those who love adventure and drama. Well, now the tables are turned and those who love adventure and drama are discovering home exchanges. The writer and producer of “Monk” and “White Collar” has now written a mystery/comedy play called “Home Exchange.” This drama is showing at the…
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It’s A Brand New Day For Christian Home Exchangers!
Today, we launched our newly re-designed website. We are excited as we begin our partnership in The Home Exchange [dot] com International Network. We are the portal for entering The Christian Community in this huge network. As a member of The Home Exchange International Network, you have access to over 42,000 home exchange listings–and the…