One of the reasons many in ministry cannot rest is their calendar is out of control! Here is the bottom line, if you don't control your calendar then circumstances and other people will. And I can guarantee you that things that are important to you (like rest) won't always make the cut. So here are some thoughts on getting your calendar under control:
- Put everything important on your calendar. Not only meetings, but other important things like prayer time, sermon prep time, leadership development, etc. The most important things we do must go on the calendar first and only then can we negotiate the remainder of our time. (Otherwise little things will eat up our time and then we'll find that we have to cut in to rest time to get the essential things done)
- Keep your calendar consistent. This helps you establish a rhythm of work, but also makes clear to you, your staff and congregation when you are and are not available. For example, I used to take a day off "when I could." That was a terrbile strategy because a) without a plan I often never got a day off and b) since others didn't know my time off they would call whenever (which of course often happened to be that random day off)
- Plan in advance -Having things like series, sermons, events, etc. on the calendar far in advance helps you feel more rested in general (because you're not always scrambling for what's next) but also allows you to build in sufficient rest time.
- Put you vacation time on the calendar. -Plan way in advance the time you will take off and take it! You and your family will appreciate (especially during busy seasons) that rest is around the corner. It will actually help you push yourself a little harder when you need to and give you and your spouse something to look forward to.
- Learn to say no. Most people will respect your time boundaries, but some will not. If you don't protect your time, then nobody will. Of course this doesn't mean we are inflexible. Recently, someone in our church died and I canceled my plans for my day off to spend a good chunk of time with his family (which of course was the right thing to do). However, every marriage fight, need for counsel, request for a meeting is not an emergency and should be scheduled within your regular work calendar. You must let people know when they request time on your day(s) off that you are unavailable and suggest another time. If you don't you are cheating your family, and you won't get the rest you need to make it for the long haul.
Tomorrow I'll dig deeper on that last point since so many pastors seem to struggle with that.
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