How to Use a Bucket List for a More Meaningful Life

If we did the things we were capable of, we would astound ourselves. – Thomas Edison

This week I got to check something off my bucket list- a great escape to the island of Santorini, Greece. Santorini is undeniably one of the most beautiful places on earth.

I’m not sure what first sparked my interest in visiting the Greek Isles. Was it pictures in 5th grade world geography or one of those jet way wall murals that haunts you forever? Maybe it was the setting of a movie I can’t remember, or a picture in my Greek textbook at seminary? (Wait, that book didn’t have pictures!)

I guess it doesn’t matter. For as long as I can remember I have had an Eden-echo in my soul, calling me to this place. Hence its high position on my bucket list.

Speaking of “bucket list,” where did the idea come from? The 2007 movie entitled, “The Bucket List” by Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson embedded the term in our social vocabulary.  Two terminally ill men escape the cancer ward with a to-do-list to accomplish before they “kick-the-bucket.”

What about you- do you have a bucket list?  Have you recorded a set of goals to accomplish or things to do before you die? If not, why not start one? If so, when was the last time you checked something off?

While basking in sunset of my Aegean paradise, I reflected on some of the steps I have taken to fulfill my dreams. And I thought about you- friends, acquaintances, fellow ministers, and anonymous blog readers.  What is really required to propel us toward our dreams?

I sketched out a short blog series that I hope will assist you, whether you’re excited to start, ready to refresh, or even feeling too overwhelmed to think about the future.

Here are some upcoming posts…

  • How do you get started with a bucket list anyway? In the first post I will overview five kinds of aspirations.
  • Is it selfish to be a Christian and have a bucket list? In the second post I will share four ways to redeem your life dreams.
  • Once you have bucket list, where is it easy to get stuck? In the third post I will cover the five obstacles to enjoying your life more.
  • What can I do today to make the most of my bucket list? In the fourth post, I will reveal the four essentials to getting your list done!

Wherever you are this summer, I hope you have time for some  rest, reflection and planning.

If this series interests you, I could use your help. How would expand this blog series and what question would you explore? What is one of your bucket list accomplishments that you would be excited to share?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Will Mancini

Will Mancini

Will Mancini wants you and your ministry to experience the benefits of stunning, God-given clarity. As a pastor turned vision coach, Will has worked with an unprecedented variety of churches from growing megachurches and missional communities, to mainline revitalization and church plants. He is the founder of Auxano, creator of VisionRoom.com and the author of God Dreams and Church Unique.

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comment_post_ID); ?> Thank you Ed for sharing your insights into the Church Growth Movement. I have my reservations with Church Growth models because it has done more damage than good in the Body of Christ. Over the years, western churches are more focused on results, formulas and processes with little or no emphasis on membership and church discipline. Pastors and vocational leaders are burnt out because they're overworked. I do believe that the Church Growth model is a catalyst to two destructive groups: The New Apostolic Reformation and the Emerging Church. Both groups overlap and have a very loose definition. They're both focus on contemporary worship, expansion of church brand (franchising), and mobilizing volunteering members as 'leaders' to grow their ministry. Little focus on biblical study, apologetics and genuine missional work with no agenda besides preaching of the gospel.
 
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comment_post_ID); ?> Thank you for sharing such a good article. It is a great lesson I learned from this article. I am one of the leaders in Emmanuel united church of Ethiopia (A denomination with more-than 780 local churches through out the country). I am preparing a presentation on succession planning for local church leaders. It will help me for preparation If you send me more resources and recommend me books to read on the topic. I hope we may collaborate in advancing leadership capacity of our church. God Bless You and Your Ministry.
 
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