Have you ever felt the pressure of too many demands of ministry?
Equipping volunteers, sorting rosters, communicating to parents, pastors and of course, planning great messages for kids. Training events, camps, did I mention the weekly set up and pack down, the balancing of budgets etc.
Will you ever get some sort of order to what feels chaotic? “Its just a season,” you say, but how long will this season last?
The reality is there will always be peaks and valleys, the challenge is to create a rhythm and work within that. This is critical for the longevity of your leadership.
Step back and take a look at the whole year. Mark out the months of the year on a time line. Identify the peaks, those seasons/events that take additional effort: the start of the year, additional events (include training) or church wide initiatives, launching new teams and implementing curriculums.
ASK YOURSELF THESE 5 QUESTIONS:
1. What do you want to achieve by the end of the year?
2. What will it take? Estimate the hours involved.
3. How long can you keep up this pace?
4. How will I know when I have achieved what I set out to do?
5. Look at your hours available for ministry in a week—prioritize how much time each activity is worth in relation to the expected outcome.
Finding your rhythm will enable you to lead a team in the same way. Over scheduling fills up the calendar and decreases your effectiveness. The phrase “less is more” is applicable when we decide what we will do less of and identify how we will get more from what we do.
Spend time visioning and planning. Spend 1 hour a week, 1 day a month and 1 week a year planning and visioning for the future. Make decisions in a timely manner; indecision costs valuable time and energy.
What are you doing that only you can do?
Is there anything that you are currently doing that would be better done by someone else?
Once a marathon runner was asked: "What do you think about when you run such a long distance?" And he replied: "While I'm running, I'm thinking how to breathe correctly and properly put my foot." His breathing and the proper placement of his feet create a rhythm: this rhythm allows him focus on really important things and forget about the less important and the unimportant.
When you have your own rhythm you focus on your goal and the steps needed to reach it. Finding the rhythm of ministry allows you to pace yourself for the long haul. Your journey becomes more enjoyable. You have strength to navigate the demanding season and the wisdom to harness the momentum of the “down” times.
TAKING THE CONVERSATION FURTHER:
DISCUSS THIS WITH KEY LEADERS FROM YOUR TEAM:
· Ask if they can articulate the current rhythm of your ministry.
· How does this impact them?
· What changes do they feel need to be made?
Margaret Spicer
Equipping volunteers, sorting rosters, communicating to parents, pastors and of course, planning great messages for kids. Training events, camps, did I mention the weekly set up and pack down, the balancing of budgets etc.
Will you ever get some sort of order to what feels chaotic? “Its just a season,” you say, but how long will this season last?
The reality is there will always be peaks and valleys, the challenge is to create a rhythm and work within that. This is critical for the longevity of your leadership.
Step back and take a look at the whole year. Mark out the months of the year on a time line. Identify the peaks, those seasons/events that take additional effort: the start of the year, additional events (include training) or church wide initiatives, launching new teams and implementing curriculums.
ASK YOURSELF THESE 5 QUESTIONS:
1. What do you want to achieve by the end of the year?
2. What will it take? Estimate the hours involved.
3. How long can you keep up this pace?
4. How will I know when I have achieved what I set out to do?
5. Look at your hours available for ministry in a week—prioritize how much time each activity is worth in relation to the expected outcome.
Finding your rhythm will enable you to lead a team in the same way. Over scheduling fills up the calendar and decreases your effectiveness. The phrase “less is more” is applicable when we decide what we will do less of and identify how we will get more from what we do.
Spend time visioning and planning. Spend 1 hour a week, 1 day a month and 1 week a year planning and visioning for the future. Make decisions in a timely manner; indecision costs valuable time and energy.
What are you doing that only you can do?
Is there anything that you are currently doing that would be better done by someone else?
Once a marathon runner was asked: "What do you think about when you run such a long distance?" And he replied: "While I'm running, I'm thinking how to breathe correctly and properly put my foot." His breathing and the proper placement of his feet create a rhythm: this rhythm allows him focus on really important things and forget about the less important and the unimportant.
When you have your own rhythm you focus on your goal and the steps needed to reach it. Finding the rhythm of ministry allows you to pace yourself for the long haul. Your journey becomes more enjoyable. You have strength to navigate the demanding season and the wisdom to harness the momentum of the “down” times.
TAKING THE CONVERSATION FURTHER:
DISCUSS THIS WITH KEY LEADERS FROM YOUR TEAM:
· Ask if they can articulate the current rhythm of your ministry.
· How does this impact them?
· What changes do they feel need to be made?
Margaret Spicer
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