Pray for a God-Controlled Day of Ministry

Written by William Richard Ezell

Ever feel like you're losing control? Those days when the chairperson of the finance committee wants the name of that attorney your church used five years ago--and he wants it that day. Those days when your computer has crashed and the Sunday bulletin needs to be ready in an hour. Those days when you had a project due at 9, and your car broke down at the way to the church office at 8?

Stress Management (Felt Need Series)

All of us have days where we lose control. Every vocation has pressures that come out of nowhere and demand immediate attention. And working in a church setting is no different. Don't let surprise situations send you into a tailspin. By taking charge of areas where you have control, you'll put yourself in a better position to handle the others.

1. First things first: Give Christ control of all you do! Control is not merely a self-produced behavior. God becomes the soul-stirring dynamic that enables us to gain the needed control of our lives. Pray for His strength and wisdom each day.
2. Do the hard things first. We often encourage our children to do their homework before they play. We would do well to heed that advice when we come into the office. Whatever task you tend to put off, do it first. Get it out of the way so you can concentrate on the things you most enjoy. And, consequently, you will be more productive and in control of your work environment.
3. Know the value of being unavailable. Church workers perform jobs that never end and are never completed. You must decide what not to do. There will be times you will have to say no to certain people and to certain tasks. But saying no to lesser things enables you to say yes to greater things.
4. Determine your objectives each day and prioritize accordingly. While a church office is a series of constant interruptions and distractions, having a plan will enable you to make the most effective use of your time. Rarely do we accomplish 100 percent of any plan, but 50 or 75 percent is better than 0 percent.
5. Group similar tasks together. Group phone calls, computer time, correspondence and other tasks together. This will save you time and increase your efficiency.
6. Have a purpose in everything you do. Ask a few hard questions: Will this activity help me perform my job? Does this project enable my church to reach its objective? Can someone else do this job better than I can?
7. Ask for volunteers. Any number of people can do several tasks in a church office, such as folding bulletins or stuffing envelopes. Recruiting additional help will save you time and expand your personal ministry. Also, enlisting volunteers to serve as receptionists to answer phone calls and greet visitors can enable you to engage in certain tasks that only you can do.
8. Take regular breaks. Consider the old adage, "If you do not come apart [from the world], you will come apart." Periodic breaks throughout the day as well as enrichment and training times will enable you to gain more control.

William Richard Ezell is senior pastor, Naperville Baptist Church, Naperville, Ill., and the author of "Ministry on the Cutting Edge."