Ministry Priorities? What are they?
Successful leaders frequently evaluate what is the best use of their time and resources. So often, I am so busy with the urgent things - calls, email, problem solving - that I don’t stop to consider whether or not I am being effective. A question worth considering is, “What would be the three top activities that I could do that would move us forward in the vision God has given to us?” If I could get to those things and let other things past me by, my leadership could be so much stronger. The question is not easy to answer and the answer may shift from time to time, so I have to keep asking it. I have a coach to help me process many questions, but this question has great potential to impact my ministry, I believe, right now.
Let me just say a word about a coach. I have had a coach for the past three months. In some ways it is a pain in the neck. Remembering to call in, doing my assignments that I agreed to, and just finding the time in the schedule goes against the grain. However, I don’t think I would be addressing these important questions if I didn’t have this person in my life (Dave), asking me the hard questions. The ironic thing is that I ask these same questions to many people that I work with! Somehow, asking myself the same questions never gets done. Now you are probably wondering why you elected me to the position of DS! He doesn’t do what he preaches! True…that is why having a coach is so helpful to me.
Well, getting back to the important question of priorities. I am finding a gold mine. This month I will be blogging about my journey of self-discovery in this area. I would like this blog to become an opportunity for us to build an online community in our district where we can learn things togother. What are you learning about this topic? How are you growing? What resources have been helpful to you?
As it turns out, I have discovered that the two of the most important things that I could be doing as a DS I am not currently giving much effort because I have chosen to do other things. Moving from where I am to where I want to be is going to require a plan and some discipline. I would like to challenge the leadership in the Metro District to do some reflection on ministry priorities. What would be the three top things you could be doing to move the vision forward? What would you have to change to get these done? What would you have to stop doing? What are you doing that you are not very good at that someone else could do better?
Here are some of the lessons that I am learning in my practice of evaluation.
LESSON # 1) I find that I evaluate others(elders, leaders)far more purposefully than I study myself. I do a quick study when I am am the subject, and a more in depth evaluation when it is others. Oh, God, how my heart finds it far more natural to critique others than myself. I either over evaluate or under evaluate myself.
LESSON #2 I need a coach that I can trust; I can’t be too quick in getting anyone for my coach. When I do recognize (by God’s patient grace!) where change is needed, I find how desperately I need a coach, a good coach, otherwise all change is short-lived, (not to mention that our own personal evaluation is often not quite accurate!)
LESSON #3 I must set goals that are realistic concerning my growth as a leader. I am far more prone to quickly fall back into the more comfortable habits than “sticking to it” and experiencing growth. But if I recognize that it is a long term process without the option of quitting on personal growth, then my failures are only temporary, and each step of growth, (or as one writer puts it “leaning in the right direction is a start!) is another expression of God’s amazing grace to conquer what I can not conquer myself.
What a great challenge Bruce. I appreciate those questions and I will ponder them and pass them along to my staff. Time management is so important and so lacking in many of our lives. I feel the pinch often of not getting done what needs to be done as I get stretched in many directions. I accept responsibility for allowing the urgent-unimportant rule the day. Please pray for me as I wrestle with the questions you posed. I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength. Thanks for helping me be a better pastor/leader.
Thank you for that thoughtful, inspiring, and challenging word Bruce.
I agree with you in the need for a personal coach/mentor and the realistic approach to setting goals.
Thank you also for your leadership at the prayer conference
Thanks for the post Bruce about “priority”. Being the head of the Division of Missions, it is realy very important for me to sort out all my activities and programs and choose those very important things that need my attention/service that will produce more significant impact/result. This requires me more time to think and even evaluate my priorities. God bless you Bruce. Hope we can also keep in touch through email or skype.