4 Ways to Maximize Time Efficiency (Part 2)

July 8, 2014May 30, 2020Leave a comment

Last week, we discussed the first two points in our 4 Ways to Maximize Time Efficiency series. Today, we’ll wrap things up with two more…

3. Shut up and drive. For the bivocational pastor, there’s something majestic about the open road…something soothing as to what it represents.

For example, I find the open road not only the epitome of dedication, but also an outlet where quiet time and dreaming come together. Unfortunately, many treat “drive-time” as nothing more than a trivial agenda item, unaware of how it can be used fruitfully.

But think about it: the world we live in requires motion to function, so why not use it constructively? ‘Cause truth is: Sometimes, we gotta shut up and drive if we’re ever going to embrace the joy in stillness and find breakthrough in our Kingdom pursuits.

Granted, a drive from ‘point A’ to ‘point B’ may not sound too exciting. But perhaps there are other options you enjoy that also can’t be helped, like exercise or household chores.

At any rate, it’s important to identify with whatever helps us align to the heart of God. For when we start capitalizing on these experiences, we’ll find we’re not only advancing the most important relationship in our lives, but also integrating efficient time management into things we can’t control.

Bottom line: Consider your “open road” and make sure to block time for it.

4. Stay communally connected. Let’s be real: It can be hard finding time for relationships outside of work and family. Stress, life changes, technology, unforeseen conflicts…it’s like life is a merciless jungle and we’re all trying to survive it one day at a time.

But let’s get real: It can be super easy making excuses when it comes to faithfully stewarding community. Stress, life changes, technology, unforeseen con…oh wait, I’ve already said that.

Truth is: If you want to have time for people, you gotta make time for people. After all, that’s what community is all about – being intentional about pursuing meaningful relationships in an authentic way.

Of course, not every relational road is a straight-a-way, given life has a way of creating dead-ends from time to time.

However, if you’re reaching out to people at work, school or church, but still find it hard to connect, fear not! Instead of withdrawing, try engaging people with similar interests through meet-up websites, local Facebook groups, recreational leagues, etc.

Either way, by choosing to stay communally connected (or at least making the sincere effort), you’ll discover a more complete joy that organically comes when God’s love is made apparent.

4 Ways to Maximize Time Efficiency (Part 1)

July 3, 2014May 30, 2020Leave a comment

Have you ever wished there were more hours in a day? I know I have…many times, in fact. No doubt, in this day and age, we’re all circus performers, doing our very best to juggle all of life’s responsibilities. Yet, if we’re completely honest with ourselves, we’ll eventually realize how easy it is to hide a lack of discipline behind a love of distraction. True, we may be genuinely busy, but we’d be kidding ourselves if we believed we’re busy all the time. The fact of the matter is: if we look hard enough, we can find golden opportunities in our day to be good stewards of the time given to us. And as we’ll discuss later on, in the case of the bivocational minister, such truth can go a long way in expanding the tent pegs of ministerial effectiveness.

So with that said, here are four ways one can maximize time efficiency…

Create daily/weekly time blocks for quiet time, planning, study…and rest!

Call me “old-school”, but I’m a firm believer in purposeful planning…in carving out set periods of time to plan, prep and soak in the Word. I know, I know. I’m no fun. Psh, whatev. But seriously, we live in a time that tolerates a “go with the flow, pedal to the medal” philosophy. We think if we push hard and fast enough, we’ll get everything done the way we want it. However, the problem with this approach is it’s not a reliable solution. In the long run, such thinking will only lead to skewed priorities, relational frustrations and burnout.

Truth is: If you want to righteously juggle a full load, it’s imperative to employ healthy time-management skills. As Solomon says in Ecclesiastes, there’s a time for everything … but at the end of the day, it’s up to us to use it wisely. By designating daily and/or weekly opportunities for quiet time, planning, studying and rest, you’re ultimately embracing a balanced diet of #smartlifechoices.

Maximize free time.

When it comes to effectively managing multiple agendas, a good place to start is by maximizing free time. As an example, let’s assume a bivocational pastor has a standard day job adhering to labor law guidelines, and thus, grants 60-90 minutes of free time between snack and lunch breaks. Do you think the pastor, in his right mind, would waste such valuable time on social media and Candy Crush Saga? Of course not!

In order to maximize free time, it’s imperative to breathe purpose into inevitable stopping points…from the mandated lunch break to the compulsory bathroom break. For me, often times, the best way to get ahead is to give myself the opportunity to get ahead. And when I slow down enough to thoroughly analyze a typical day’s routine, I find more time gaps exist then I previously thought!

And true, time may seem to fly faster off the clock or on the go; however, don’t let this stop you from effectively maximizing it, whether it’s balancing your checkbook, drafting an important text, making a phone call or outlining a sermon. Truth is: You’ll feel freer when you create more free time with the free time you’ve been given.

So press on, challenge yourself…and don’t allow yourself to be intimated by time restraint. Either way, the goal here is to find appropriate outlets linking the “light-bulb” ideas that surface at work to time blocks (see point #1) set aside to complete them.

Stay tuned next time for “Part 2” where I’ll expound upon my final two points…

4 Reasons Why It’s OK to Enjoy Having a Professional Job: Reason 2

July 2, 2014July 21, 2014Leave a comment

Last time we discussed how even the Apostle Paul had a day job. And all the bi-vocationals (is that a word?–it is now:) ) rejoiced. Today we are taking a quick look at one of the most valid, yet under rated reasons to enjoy your day job. It’s a little thing called the Great Commission.

Reason 2: Where light is absent, darkness abounds.

If all believers were in “full time” church ministry, can you imagine how dark the workplace would be? Jesus came into our world as a great Light and the darkness could not overcome it (John 1:5). We are called to shine like stars in the midst (or in the middle of) a dark and perverse generation (Phil 2:15).

That would not happen if we all were permanent fixtures within the four walls of the church.

I’ve worked in my fair share of corporate environments. Everything from those with a ministerial focus to those who were simply looking to make a buck. In some of those instances, I was the only believer. Those were the places that my ministry as a Christian and not a “leader” really made a difference. Burn brightly my friends, and don’t ever feel like you need to apologize for enjoying an outlet of being Jesus’s hands and feed. We are in a blessed position, equipping the saints and lighting up the night.

You don’t have to take my word for it. We’ll take a look at how Jesus viewed work in point 3.

The “More” Predicament (Part 1)

June 24, 2014May 30, 2020Leave a comment

We live in a world medicated by “more”.

Whether it’s money, entertainment or even spirituality, we’re people naturally drawn to the supplemental joys in life.

I mean, why order a measly little quarter-pounder when you can sink your teeth into a beefy triple-patty thickburger? Why drive one car when you can sport two sets of hot wheels? And why settle on one job exercising a fraction of God-given skillet, when you can work multiple jobs and increase income utilizing more?

No-brainers, right? Pursue the excess and reap the fulfillment.

But let’s get serious: is this American dream mumbo-jumbo all it’s cracked up to be? Is more always better? Or is less sometimes more?

Truth is: In today’s culture, we’re all hustlers. In fact, you have to work hard not to be busy. Why? Because our capacity to engage multiple ambitions is fueling our need for purpose at an all-time high.

Seriously…has anyone noticed the surge in people pursuing multiple careers…and how this move is being driven by possibility more than necessity? It’s like we’ve replaced “living life to the fullest” with “living life to our fullest”.

Now, don’t get me wrong…I get how wearing multiple occupational hats is sexy. I mean who wouldn’t want to boost a résumé with an extra shot of creativity, diversity and versatility. But it’s this thirst for relevance that not only erodes unity in community, but also numbs us to what is of utmost importance.

At some point, we need to wake up, smell the roses…and realize a high-octane culture does not entitle us to chase every single dream that flutters onto our radar.

So later on, we’ll continue this series with by discussing ways pastors and ministers can strategically navigate through all the cultural hullabaloo to rightfully lead the church down God’s intended path.

Stay tuned…

4 Reasons Why It ‘s OK to Enjoy Having a Professional Job: Reason 1

June 21, 2014July 21, 2014Leave a comment

rossieronline.usc.edu-

In a world where the ability to have a full time focus is a luxury many seek, it can be difficult to reconcile the side of you that enjoys being in a secular work place. The good news is, you don’t need to reconcile…it is perfectly biblical, and here is why!

Reason 1

Paul had a day job. That’s right! Mr. I Wrote Almost One-Third of the New Testament was bi-vocational!

In Acts 18, we see working wasn’t just something he did before he launched his ministry. Paul was saved and began ministering in Acts 9. Barnabas and Saul were designated by the Holy Spirit for missionary work in Acts 13 and were planting churches in Acts 14. Paul’s ministry was in full swing.

Finally, in Acts 18, while he is planting the church in Corinth (the only church to get 2 letters), he is working as a Tent maker. Interestingly enough, all Jewish teachers of the law in the first century had a “trade”. Reading through Acts, Paul was proud that he lived by his work. You should be too. I can’t help but wonder why Paul, one of the most influential ministers in the history of the church chose to work?

Maybe he saw the market place as a mission field in and of itself, which brings us to our second reason…Whatever in Greek means…Whatever…