by Bret Capranica | Apr 8, 2010 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry, Time/Life Management
So what are the potential pitfalls every pastor (really anyone) will face as soon as he is committed to becoming more productive? Here are a few suggestions: Strangling Sovereignty. As one who believes in, values, and enjoys a robust understanding of God’s sovereginty, I understand the tension that can often be felt when trying to become more focused and productive. I understand that God guides every step despite by best intentions. As someone (I can’t remember who) has said, we write our plans in pencil and understand God owns the eraser. Never think that our goals, plans, projects, tasks, and ultimately our productivity is either up to us or accomplished in our own ingenuity. Furthermore, when providence destroys the perfectly planned productive week you sketched out, rejoice! Don’t fret or sweat in frustration. God is sovereign. Our productive desires can never strangle his perfect providential plans. Frustrating Friends. Another pitfall when we aim to be productive is that we will inevitably frustrate some of our friends; especially those not given to our bent for greater productivity. I do this to the best of my friends. I need to be less self-focused and considerate of others. Yet, I can plan my work and work my plan, running right over those I consider ministry partners and friends. Be careful of this. Neither frustrating them by our precise planning, nor succumbing to other’s lack of planning needs to cause us any lack in being effective at what we do. Flexibility is required – but not so flexible that we are useless. Projects Above People. Sometimes this is a false dichotomy. Often times...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 7, 2010 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry, Time/Life Management
So, this series is all about the negative side of pastoral productivity. Next week, I plan to say more about the more productive side of pastoral productivity – the positive stuff. But, before we move to the positive, let’s be a bit more negative (why do the negative articles always get more press?). Here’s a few thoughts on unproductive approaches in addressing productivity: Goals without Strategy. Goals are great and I have them – I have some for myself, my family, and my ministry. But if you have no practical way to apply them, remind yourself of them, or even hold yourself somewhat accountable to them, goals are useless. Goals without a strategy are a strategic way to become more depressed and obviously unproductive. If you are going to set some goals, you will also need to think through a process by which those goals are continually evaluated, regularly reviewed, and practically applied to how you work week to week. Strategy without Goals. Many people fall into this trap. These are those who are mesmerized by the latest time management tool, whether electronic or paper, or those who are continually looking for a new productivity system. They love to think about how to be productive and are always shifting systems, but their day-to-day functions are never tied to any long-term, higher altitude goals. Strategy without goals is a good way to feel productive, but not necessarily be productive in the long run. Time-Driven Tasks. It really is a myth that you can manage your time. It marches on despite our goals and management plans. I do agree with David...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 6, 2010 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Time/Life Management
Busyness is a given and is not unique to pastoral ministry. But make no mistake, busyness is often more of a problem, than more of a sign of effectiveness. I have always wrestled with personal focus, whether practicing my trumpet in high school band, or finishing a paper in college. Procrastination could be my first, middle, and last name. Time and life management has always been a struggle. But it has become a major pursuit as well; one in which I trust I am making progress. Challenges to Productivity Sin. Sin steals time. Whether misplaced conversation, inappropriate activities, or laziness in and of itself, sin steals time. When activities of life that are not faith-founded dominate the schedule, sin is present. Sin is never productive, not in the long run – rarely in the short run, never for things eternal. No real need to get too specific here. Sin steals time. You probably know how that shows up in your life. I am quite well aware of how it shows up in mine. Family. I don’t mean to suggest that productivity is more important than time spent with family. I don’t believe that and would never advocate it. However, I am quite sure that family requests, kid’s desires, and even legitimate, necessary family needs prove challenging to your being productive. Productivity may mean staying up later, or in my case getting up earlier, so that family is not inappropriately neglected. Nonetheless, family responsibilities are always a challenge to being productive in your work. Unintentionality. This may be one of the biggest challenges. Simply having no intentional plan regarding your...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 5, 2010 | Time/Life Management
Michael Hyatt’s...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 3, 2010 | Twitter
Thinking through priorities, roles, goals, and the week ahead. Looking forward to engaging the issues ahead. # Trying to avoid the cold that has traversed our family for weeks. So far … Unsuccesaful. To bed, early to rise. # Prep time. My heart is desperate for the Lord this morning in so many ways. # What a full day. The fellowship with the Lord’s people was especially encouraging today; I’m one extremely blessed pastor-so very grateful. # RT @albertmohler: Census Bureau reports 48% of all US births now to minorities, may surpass 50% this year. A new America. http://ow.ly/1rZhL # RT @steveweaver: Christian Science Monitor reports on Calvinism at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. (http://bit.ly/bz4PiG). # RT @ThomRainer: New blog post: “The Seven Characteristics of Highly Evangelistic Christians” http://is.gd/b55lE # Reading, praying, setting my mind on things above regarding the week ahead. # Were teaching the girls about the Lord’s supper-had our bread and some red Matinelli’s. Emi’s response: ‘Dad, can I drink my blood now?’ # Hoot in 3D! #HootSuite announces 3D Social Media Dashboard! #HootSuite3D http://hootsuite.com/hs3d # Big day ahead-traveling back to San Fernando Valley for a few meetings this morning. Looking forward to fellowship with friends new and old. # Home from a very long but highly encouraging and satisfying time in Los Angeles-great fellowship with a dear brother in Christ. # Grateful for some great new friends watching the kids while Kel and I spend the morning kidless. # Preparing for our Good Friday service. Meditating on 2 Corinthians 5. # He died for all, so that they who live might no longer...
