A Pastor/Leader/Manager’s schedule is most accurate view of their priorities.
Most of the time a person’s calendar doesn’t line up with their goals and what they say they value.
Planning and long term goal setting should be done at the annual and quarterly level but I believe the most effective way to manage your priorities is at a weekly view.
Schedule time with God first.
- Nothing will set the tone of your life and your ministry more than your time with Jesus.
- Give your mornings to God.
- I will meet with God before I do anything else, before any activity or meeting.
- EM Bounds “The glory and efficiency of the gospel is staked on the men who proclaim it.”
Schedule health/exercise.
- Some would say others priorities should come first.
- But if I’m dead, I can’t fulfill my mission.
- I am the steward of the body God has given me. I will take care of it.
- This is a marathon. I can’t possibly finish strong and give me best without being healthy.
Schedule family.
- Put in on your calendar. (Vacations, special events, birthdays, sports, activities, etc.)
- Set a time to leave the office every day.
- Review your calendar with your spouse once a week. Sunday night works best for me.
Schedule time for email.
- 2-3 times per day.
- Morning, Lunch, Late afternoon.
- Let people know when you’ll be checking and returning email.
- No such thing as an emergency email. If it truly is an emergency they will get in touch with you.
- Returning email is not work. It’s a useful tool but don’t let it dominate your day.
- If you have an admin, have them return as much of your mail as possible.
Set key objectives and schedule time into weekly calendar for them.
- set at least twice a week 90 minute slots of uninterrupted time for planning or action on most important goals
- big rocks theory – make time for the most important things and then the smaller less important things fall into the time remaining or not done at all. No one leaves work finished. There is always more to be done. I want to leave with the most important things done.
Schedule one-on-one’s with direct reports.
- Developing the people on your team is the primary duty of the leader.
- Before you become a leader, success is all about growing yourself. After you become a leader, success is about growing others.” – Jack Welch
- One one one meetings should be 30 minutes.
- Agenda is communication, clarity, goals, and how I can help them.
Schedule a meeting with people you are discipling or developing.
- Who are you the men who are following you?
- A meal or coffee to mentor younger Christians in their walk with Christ.
- Keeps you in touch with the real needs and questions of people trying to take steps with Jesus. Makes your preaching more productive.
- Hand off the baton of leadership.
- You can really influence when you get up close.
Schedule a lunch for building your network.
- Someone you can include in your network of co-workers, friends, mentors.
- Use the time to catch up, reconnect, ask questions, and learn.
- Look for ways to serve that person with no strings attached.
- This a no agenda meeting, meaning I don’t want anything from you other than for us to stay connected.
- May have to schedule this weeks in advance but should have these meetings each week.
SCOTTY PRIEST 