One of the best parts about Matt Perman’s What’s Best Next is his discussion on the necessity and value of setting up one’s work week to a particular schedule or routine.
His focus on a weekly routine is nothing new, but the nuance he brings to the discussion is oh so good. See if you can spot it out:
The key to effectiveness – putting the most important things first – is knowing what is most important and then weaving it into your life through simple structures and systems . . . [You need to create] a basic structure for your life by identifying the most important activities from your roles and then slotting them in to create a flexible framework for you week so that it is natural to do them.
Did you spot the wonderful nuance? “Nope,” you say, “maybe if you italicized something it would be easier.”
Well, the glorious wrinkle on routine is this: Perman exhorts scheduling your week to do the most important things so that those things become natural.
SHEPHERDING & SCHEDULING
There is pointed application to pastoral ministry here. A biblical understanding of pastoral ministry leads us to conclude that pastors labor in word, sacrament, and prayer. Of course there are other things we must do, but these things must get done if ministry is ever going to be faithful.
Four years ago I implemented a weekly schedule in order to effectively accomplish all the demands on my plate, and precious few things have had more effect on my ministry. In the last week I have had three different brothers ask me about this practice and I thought it might be helpful to just throw it out there for others to see.
Before beginning, let me throw out a few necessary caveats. First, I believe that routine isn’t essential to faithful ministry, but beneficial. Second, my routine is by no means the right one; it’s just an option among innumerable others. Third, it is entirely flexible. The flexibility usually hinges on the sermon. For example, yesterday I completed the first draft of my sermon for this weekend, so instead of four hours of sermon prep this morning, I will spend that time in extended reading.
THOUGHTS ON THIS SCHEDULE
This schedule is of great benefit for my ministry because it allows my to get in the natural rhythms of the word and prayer. I have used this scheduled for about fourteen months with little deviation. The best part, for me, is that sermon prep preoccupies Monday and Tuesday because it is the biggest thing on my plate each week. Every once in a while the sermon prep will bleed into Wednesday and if that happens I normally drop the periods to read and write.
The other thing I love about this schedule is how much time it allows for shepherding. Shepherding meetings can be anything from a Missions Team meeting, to book study, to simple hospitality. It’s also worth the simple reminder that sermon prep and prayer blocks are shepherding times. Word and prayer. Word and prayer.
So there you go. Anyone else have a routine to share?