A free force multiplier for greater ministry productivity

Bud Brown March 13, 2019

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I’ve started using a force multiplier in my ministry. I’m finding it to be one of the most powerful tools available to pastors.

Force multipliers amplify your productivity. Greater results for the same exertion. A hammer is a multiplier. So is a backhoe, a telephone or a microphone.

They make good sense. They are good stewardship. More results, less time, same effort. Who wouldn’t use them?

The force multiplier I’m using is free. It is available to all pastors. Test it out if you want to be more effective, confident, and clear that logjam that’s hindering your ministry.

I’m referring to a word.

A single word.

One syllable.

The power of “No.”

Seems simple, doesn’t it?

No magic. No learning curve. It’s one of the first words you learned.[1]

“No” is the force multiplier that amplifies your best efforts for greater ministry effectiveness.

Odd as it seems, saying “No” has improved my productivity.

Say “No” to self

The Turnaround Pastors Ministry team began 2019 by deciding what each of us would focus on for the year. I came away from that meeting with two major objectives. If achieved, they become force multipliers themselves.

Then cold, harsh reality set in.

I had to change my comfortable daily routine. I have to say “No” to myself.

• “No” to email first thing in the morning.
• “No” news websites.
• “No” to social media websites to connect with friends.
• “No” to excuses that postpone tackling my writing goals.
• “No” to puttering rather than getting to my research.
• “No” to early[2] conference calls with colleagues and clients.
• “No” to an early breakfast with friends.

Having seen the results, it’s getting easier to say, “No” to myself.

When should you say, “No”

You’re the only one who can answer that question.

Only you know your personal and professional objectives. The ways you waste time, distract yourself and fritter away productivity is unique to you. Your resistance to “No” will be idiosyncratic; it flows from your personality.

Here’s a suggestion that may get you started:

1. Identify three mission-critical goals you must achieve.

2. Determine which resources each goal requires and when those resources are available to you. (Does a goal require a lot of reading? Time with a planning team? Physical energy?)

3. Reserve the “optimal time” to work on each goal by blocking them out on your schedule (e.g., if must do a lot of reading, set aside your best reading hours to work on your goal).

4. Conduct a self-study of how you use time. This is a nuisance, but record your activity every 30 minutes. Do it for a week.

5. Examine your journal to see where you spend time that does not move you toward your goals. You must learn to say “No” to these.

6. Review your new schedule at the beginning and end of every day. Prepare yourself for the struggle. Old habits die hard.

7. Find an accountability partner; a colleague, friend or mentor. Ask them to help you stick with the program. 

Why should you say, “No”

This won’t be easy. I don’t like hearing “No” even when I’m the one saying it. You’ll probably push back. You’ll backslide at times. But you’ve got to stick with it.

“No” gives focus

Saying “No” is a force multiplier that brings focus. I feel a greater commitment to my objectives and also have more energy, which gives me confidence.

When you learn to say “No” you will work more effectively on those tasks that will do the most for your church and your ministry.

Productivity increases when you focus on the important tasks and let everything else slide.

“No” creates an opportunity for others

Pastors have 1,001 things to do every week.

We do some because we enjoy them. Others because hubris says we’re the only one who can do them right. And a few because we’ve fallen into the role of Pastor Fetch.

Saying “No” permits others to use their experience, giftedness, interest and passion in personally rewarding ministry that advances the church toward fulfillment of its mission.

Isn't it about time you said "No?"

1. Paul C. Holinger, Self-Awareness and Language: Saying “Yes” to “No.” Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/great-kids-great-parents/201204/self-awareness-and-language-saying-yes-no. Accessed January 25, 2019.  ↩
2. “Early” for me are the hours from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Those are the hours when I’m at my best. I now devote those hours to writing and reading for my research.  ↩

Photo source: istock 

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Bud Brown is an experienced ministry leader, writer and educator. He is co-founder of Turnaround Pastors and co-author of the ground-breaking Pastor Unique: Becoming A Turnaround Leader. He brings special expertise to change leadership in the local church, mentoring pastors to become revitalization leaders, training churches how to find and recruit the best talent, and training leadership teams how to achieve their shared goals. Learn More »

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