Functions run when configuration file is read

[Andy Grant]

I am writing a module that runs certain functions depending on the 
configuration directives in the conf files.  The functions are run twice 
when the server is started and again when the server shuts down.  Is 
there a way to make the functions run only once?  Maybe some variable 
that can be checked stating that the server is reading the conf files, 
actually starting the server, or shutting down?

Thanks