Sorting through your priorities
iStock
I'm having a hard time with priorities lately. Overall, my life is more in balance than it's been in years. (Which sounds weird, because why on earth would I have trouble with priorities then?)
Several years ago, I wrestled down the work-a-holic demon. Some good friends gave me good counsel, and my idol of performance as a measure of success has been slowly hacked away at over the last few years.
My calendar is no longer married to a crazy church schedule. When I have evening meetings, I actually want to go to them because they are important and rare.
Usually, I go home at night and hang with my family. Imagine that! Unreal, I know.
I'm just thinking through the time I actually spend in ministry during a typical week. A priority is simply a pre-decision about my time.
What are my priorities?
Here's how I'm thinking through these:
- The most important thing I do is communicate, yet I might only spend 10 hours a week on that. Too little. I'd love to get two days a week to pray, plan and write.
- The next most important thing I do is invest in staff. I spend 10 hours a week with staff in meetings/one on ones.
- I love to meet with ministry volunteers. That's on average 4-6 hours per week. It's low this week, high seven days from now (elder's meeting and baptism stuff…cool!)
- Growing over the last three years is my time with leaders from other churches. This week it's a huge investment: 14 hours plus a day with miscellaneous ministry friends. Other leaders sharpen me. I hope I sharpen them. Typically it's 4-6 hours a week. Too much?
- Correspondence/email/blogging has got to take 10-12 hours per week.
- Miscellaneous drive consumes the rest, I'm sure.
Oh yeah, personal time with God is my time…Christian first, pastor second. So that's how every day begins (that's why it's not in my 'work' schedule).
This article was first published at careynieuwhof.com. Used with permission.
 | Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church. He’s the author of several best-selling books, including, Didn’t See It Coming: Overcoming the Seven Greatest Challenges That No One Expects But Everyone Experiences. Carey speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change and personal growth. Learn More » |
More on Leadership Development & Discipleship
- 60 years later: why our marriage continues to last (by Bob Russell)
- Reflecting on twenty years of Blackaby Ministries International (by Richard Blackaby)
- Is there a time to rescue? (by Miranda Carls)
- A leadership assignment I hope you will take (by Tom Crenshaw)
