Self Leadership

Dear Pastors

Self-Leadership

It is my view this is hard, much harder than we often acknowledge. Actually it is hard for anyone who doesn’t have a daily structure/routine to work in whether that is a sole charge pastor or sole trader/businessperson. Let’s be honest who is checking that you are working and not only working but working on the right stuff. At least as a sole trader if you don’t get into a routine and learn the importance of self-leadership very quickly neither you or your family will eat. Not so with pastors……you are going to be paid regardless.

When I was a teacher I had a set routine (or structure) every day and I had pretty much weekly deadlines. 8.30am staff meeting, 9.00am first period and so on. This is how it is for a large portion of the work force. In fact I think every worker wherever they might work needs to create a ‘self-imposed structure’ to stay on top of your work load, to not end up doing excessive hours with a risk of burning out.

I think Pastors have a particular challenge. There is no set routine (except Sunday Morning) unless you create it for yourself. And I am advocate that that is exactly what you should do1. Create your own weekly and monthly structure. Yours will be different to the pastor up the road because it will depend on the ages and stages of your family, when you are most alive, your own energy levels and what else you are facing in your personal life. Most Pastors work flexible hours to some degree and that’s understood but all pastors (employees) should strive to work both effectively and efficiently.

Effectively = Doing the right thing²
Efficiency = Doing things right²

Figuring all this out needs time and experimentation. Here’s an example of what I did.

I worked a January – December calendar/schedule.

I was and still am happy to work at least a 50hr week. Remember there are 112 waking hours a week.

I finalised my major events for the year ahead by the end of September (3 months ahead of time, but often earlier than that). This included my holidays and other trips away and major events at church.

I was a stickler to be at home every night for dinner with my family.

When my children were in their teen years I scheduled no more than 2 nights out per week for church work (and that included Sunday night) and no more than one Saturday a month. If I had to break that I ‘paid it back’.

I took Friday’s off. This meant that I could regularly get a regular two day weekend. Thursday night was normally a free night.

I diary-ed weekly family nights and monthly date nights with Jeanette.

I work best in the mornings ( I have always been an early riser) so I did my ‘thinking work’³ between 5.00am and 7.30/8.00am as much as possible. Please Note: There is some interesting ‘productivity’ research that points to the fact that high performers get 2-3hrs of their best work done each day before breakfast.

I am a strong advocate for ‘blocking’. Blocking is simply blocking time slots every week where you do whatever it is that you need to do without distractions. For example staff meetings on Tuesday mornings, pastoral appointments every Wednesday afternoon from 2.00 – 5.00pm. Thursday all morning was sermon writing time etc.

As I said, this is merely an example and it is certainly not sacrosanct. Every pastor must figure this out for themselves. Self-leadership is a learned skill. It takes a bit of trial and error along with a fair measure of frustration when the schedule doesn’t work out as planned. But when you win on this front it promises a highly productive and satisfying life.

Blessings
Alan

¹ Notwithstanding the need to allow for emergencies.
² Management guru Peter Drucker popularised this idea.
³ This included writing papers, sermon prep, planning and processing difficult issues.


Announcement
Sir Bill English speaking on Euthanasia. I have the privilege of hosting Sir Bill this coming Sunday for two identical 90 minute public meetings in Tauranga and Hamilton. I will also update where things are at with the proposed Abortion law reform. This event is not on our website. So if you would like the details please send a note to liz.dobbs@leadershipworx.org.nz OR call her on 021 243 2566.

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.