Time tips...

BLOG NOTE: If you hate preachers then you might as well not read any further because it will just make you angry. But if you want to understand us better or if you “are one” then there should be some benefit in this.

I live in two worlds (that’s true in more ways than one), I live between “I don’t know how you get it all done” and “what do you do all the time since you only work on Sundays.”

The truth is I’m like most preachers you’ll meet (Other than that I’m much weirder) I’m neither Superman nor a lazy man. Frankly, I don’t know too many lazy preachers, I’m sure there are some out there. Typically someone will think a guy is lazy because he focuses his energies on something other than what the critic thinks a preacher should focus on. i.e. The critic thinks the preacher should spend all his time visiting but the preacher in question spends most of his time in prayer and study. Or it could be just as easy the other way around. That gives the perception of laziness.

Most weeks I work 85-100 hours. I’ve charted it and can’t find the last time I didn’t put in that much time in a week. I thoroughly enjoy my work, I love it BUT I do work a lot. Not bragging I just figure most folks are working that much nowadays - whatever happened to the concept that technology would lead to us working less?

Here is some advice on work that I’ve found helpful:

1. Equip others: In ministry your best work is most often not the work you actually do but is done when you equip, energize and empower others to do the work of ministry. This is biblical, check it out in Ephesians 4. But it is also practical for it multiples your efforts as it frees you to do more.
2. Realize timing is everything! If you have children, know that your primary responsibility is to those little ones. You will have time before and after they are at those key growing up years. We should have learned from some of our heroes who live in regret today because they in a sense sacrificed their families on the altar of church work. But you can double up here some. Let me explain: When my boys were little and playing ball, football, basketball, baseball I always tried to tie my church work into my parenting work. I would coach their little league teams - not only would I have time with them, time we really enjoyed, but I had 10-25 other children who I got to influence. And if you want to influence parents, the best way is to show concern for their children. I would get to know a lot of “prospects” (i.e. I’d rather say people) in that setting. As they got older I volunteered to do radio broadcasts or the PA - that got my name, and by virtue of influence, the churches name in front of people. One more note here: If your elders don’t understand how important it is for you to have this time, help them!!!! (see #___)
3. When it comes to study - Double your time: Most any time a college student majoring in Bible interviews me they will ask how do I find time for my personal spiritual life and for study for sermons. I’m always a little bewildered by that question. I see little difference. My best spiritual study ALWAYS leads to great sermon study. I listen to the Bible being read on podcast, cd’s etc, I spent time in prayer and in study for my own spiritual strength and I will inevitably find myself also seeing something I want to preach. Another note or two here: Challenge yourself. My dad used to say for me to take on responsibilities that forced me to study and work hard. Do things that forced accountability. I have OFTEN overbooked and put myself under the gun to “get it all done” but I can never remember ultimately regretting it. Be wise and when possible but use stuff you’ve used when you travel or when you are traveling and are assigned a text or topic you’ve not used use it at home too.
4. Network: You need guys who understand you and the pressures unique to ministry and they need you. Find time for other preachers. Make them your your allies, they will understand you and in turn you can help them grow and be more. A side benefit from this should be greater unity among congregations. If someone is spreading something about a brother you know or spend time with, you’ll talk to him with greater confidence if you already know him. In the process, study them. What makes them effective, ineffective? Be a student of preaching, after all, it is what you do!
5. Do more than is expected: Just do!
6. If you have office hours BE EARLY every day! Folks will never know if you stayed up till 2 or 3 working on a project but they will know if you weren’t in the office at 8. I know so many guys who get in trouble because they come in 15-30 minutes or an hour late two or three days a week. Guys this is a such a small thing. Get there early. Be the first there, spend that time in prayer before things get hopping. And, side not here, if things aren’t hopping, MAKE THEM!
7. Wendell Winkler was a master preacher trainer, he had been there and understood preachers. He gave me some of the most freeing advice I ever received. I hope elders, members and preachers will listen to this. It is not an exact quote but it is how I have interpreted it: There are three time slots in every day and no healthy person works all three. Morning, afternoon and night. If you are going to be work that night, take the morning or afternoon off. If you are working in the afternoon take either that morning or night off. Somedays you will have to work all three, but don’t make it a habit it is not healthy, will sap you of spiritual strength, will make you more susceptible to temptation and will not set a good example. You will also lose your family. If your child is in an extra-curricular activity, be there. If your elders kids are, they will be there, they should expect you to as well. Take a vacation, even Jesus took His disciples apart for a time of rest. Don’t make working holidays a habit, no one will remember it fondly. You are not married to the church and if you save the world but lose your family standing before the Lord will be harder. He gave you THOSE first. Work hard, but don’t be dumb about it. If you take care of yourself in these ways you will be more effective and for longer. Make sure your elders understand this - if they don’t prepare your resume! They are the shepherds and should not hold you to a standard higher than they will live up to themselves and the above principles are ones they ALREADY follow in their lives if they are what they should be.
8. I could go on but I will close with this: Love the people of the Lord! They are the greatest people on earth.