NEW YEAR CALENDAR PLANNING

NEW YEAR CALENDAR PLANNING

Monday, January 17th, 2022

SCRIPTURE:

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-42

THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

It’s a New Year and there are lots of opportunities for; personal spiritual growth, family time, marriage time, ministry/church related events and programs, not to mention to do lists, errands, and everything and anything in between. Lord knows that we can often become overbooked and crazy busy as pastors.

I can remember serving in a large church that was growing and demanded quite a bit of my time and attention. I was often out four to five nights a week, and on the church campus at least two Saturdays a month. I rarely took a Sunday off and kept going and going and going. Looking back now as two of my three children are out of the house and now in college, I know that I was often too busy to give my family my complete undivided attention.

I eventually learned to take to heart a few comments a clergy colleague once said to me, “If you don’t take the time, you won’t get the time. The church/ministry will take as much as you’re willing to give. You are your best advocate!”

In more recent years, I decided to begin each calendar year and school year by asking for each of my children’s school calendars, and my wife’s work schedule (as she’s a schoolteacher). I would then plan ahead for spring break, Christmas break, Thanksgiving, and any three day/long weekend that would line up as an opportunity for date night, family time away, or even a stay-cation. I’ve learned to put our family events/activities on my calendar FIRST, as non-negotiable plans. Again, “the church will take as much as you’re willing to give.”

Begin your New Year by prioritizing the events on your calendar. Make plans for your own personal spiritual formation, date night/marriage time, family time, vacation, etc. and THEN church related ministry activities and events. Make it a priority and stick to it.

FOR REFLECTION:

What are those responsibilities that only you can and should do at church? Consider making a list of such things. (ex: like preach and teach, marry and bury, baptize, and administer Holy Communion.) What ministry related responsibilities can you delegate to someone else? Keep in mind, only you can be the father/mother of your children. Only you can be the husband/wife of your spouse.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I know that you have called me and set me apart for ministry. I also know that you have so blessed me with a wonderful family. Help me to prioritize my time by making my relationship with You, O Lord, my first priority, and then my family, and then the church. Strengthen me, and grant me wisdom and courage to protect my time and how I spend it.

RESOURCES:

iCalendar / Google Calendar: I have used my iPhone with my laptop and desktop computer whereas all my calendars sync together. My family also uses the iPhone. We put our schedules in the “family” calendar and I label another calendar as “church” so that I know, and my family knows when I’m out at night, etc. I also know when their sports games and school programs are, and when they’re off on holiday, etc. We also use a dry-erase board/calendar that we have in the kitchen that has been a big help in visually seeing all that’s going on at home and church. Syncing our calendars and having access to them while planning ministry related events has tremendously helped in protecting “me” time. I hope this helps for you too.

Song: Life Means So Much by Chris Rice