Redefining Pastor

I’m not sure how long this series will run, and it will not be sequential. (I’m too ADD for that) But the time has come for me to get all off this junk off my chest about what a Pastor IS, and what they are NOT.  I’m not trying to be provocative, or controversial, for controversies sake, but these ideas need to come out and be said.

First out of the shoot:

Active VS Productive

This is a toughie for many pastors, associate pastors, leaders, employees, etc.  So let’s ask the first real question:  Are you too focused on being ACTIVE or PRODUCTIVE? And yes, there IS a difference.

I can easily spend all day surfing the Internet, reading blogs and news sites, as well as as doing “research” on any number of legitimant topics.  But the real concern is am I being active or am I being productive?

Admittedly, there are days that really need to be active days: deadlines need to be accomplished, commitments need to be fulfilled, and obligations need to be met.  But how many days do I waste by being active, not productive?

If you find yourself falling into the trap, how can you get out of it?  Here are some solid ideas that will help.

1. Have a CONSISTENT quiet time – NOT sermon prep or research – Quiet Time ALONE with God, about YOUR life, YOUR family, YOUR ministry, YOUR weakness, YOUR needs…not any else’s!
2. Spend some time at the very FIRST of your week, putting your tasks for the WEEK in priority.
3. Spend 15-20 minutes at the END of your day getting everything into priority for the NEXT DAY.
4. List out all of your Monthly, Weekly, and Daily tasks and find a way to delegate 1/2 of them as soon as possible.
5. Spend some time EVERY DAY to just THINK (I suggest 1 hour during your BEST time)
6. Check your email only 2 times a day – 1 time in the AM and 1 time in the PM.
7. Don’t take your laptop home with you at night.
8. Don’t answer ANY work related phone calls (or emails) AFTER business hours.
9. Work EVERY DAY like you were going on vacation, TOMORROW!
10. Take ALL of your Vacation days, even if you can bank them for next year, if you don’t go THIS year, you probably WON’T go next year.
11. Take a day off once a month to think about vision and strategic thinking.
12. Go to a conference.
13. Read at least 1 book a month.
14. Find a few mentors to help you be better and help you find and fix your weak or blind spots.
15. Take at least 4 to 8 Sundays off a year!  This will also help your church grow, trust me….

We’ll unpack this a little more over the next few days and weeks.  Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think or YOUR ideas to help Redefine Pastor.