How A Minister Uses Time: Part 2 - General Areas Where A Minister Spends Time
By Dave Redick
Author's Note: The following presentation (Part 2) was made to our congregation at an evening service. Part 1 should be read before reading this . The author claims no corner on the market of wise time use, nor does he hold himself up as any special model. These lessons were presented to answer general questions about a minister's time use.
I. Study
A. The Study of God's Word.
1. For personal growth and edification (I cannot encourage others to be what I'm not.)
2. Sermon and lesson preparation
a. Planning what to preach (Weekly, yearly)
b. Study of material
c. Actual preparation (gathering, organizing, typing, etc.)
d. Actual preaching and teaching
e. Fielding questions afterward
B. The study of theology, languages, church history, homiletics, apologetics and other subjects to keep up with the field and enhance ministry.
1. Formally by taking classes.
2. Privately in reading books and journals.
C. Study of current events.
D. Attending and traveling to attend conferences, workshops, church growth seminars, etc.
E. Visiting other churches.
II. Prayer
A. For family and personal matters.
B. For members of congregation.
C. For work of church, missionaries, etc.
III. Socializing
A. Visiting members in their homes.
B. Hospital visitation.
C. Visiting shut-ins.
D. Visiting delinquent and problem members (on phone and in person.)
E. Visiting members at church building before and after services.
F. Feeding and entertaining traveling speakers and missionaries.
G. Unscheduled drop-ins at office.
H. Unscheduled phone calls.
IV. Counseling
A. In office (scheduled and unscheduled)
B. On phone (scheduled and unscheduled)
C. Marriage and family counseling, grief counseling, personal problems counseling, employment counseling, financial counseling, misc. counseling.
V. Evangelism
A. Setting up personal Bible studies.
B. Calling.
C. Conducting evangelistic studies.
D. Baptizing.
E. Conducting follow up studies.
F. Checking on new converts.
G. Organizing formal outreach activities.
H. Holding evangelistic meetings.
VI. Funerals and weddings
A. Scheduling.
B. Meeting with families involved.
C. Arrangements and rehearsals.
D. Actual conducting of services.
E. Follow up later.
VII. Administration
A. Elders meetings.
B. Congregational (or men's) meetings (planning and conducting).
C. Meeting with leaders of various ministries.
D. Dealing with legal and corporate matters.
1. State and federal laws (correspondence, keeping informed, assuring compliance, etc.)
2. State and federal tax matters (same categories as above)
3. Ministerial record keeping (Mileage, expenses, hours spent, etc.)
E. Oversight of church office and internal record keeping.
1. Secretary helps here, but final responsibility is mine.
F. Correspondence
1. To and from surrounding community (promoting good public relations.)
2. To and from other churches.
3. Misc.
VIII. Camps and retreats.
A. Planning, coordinating, attending, teaching.
IX Discipling future leaders
A. Personal nurture of other Christian men to be leaders via meetings, accountability classes, one-on-one fellowship and encouragement.
B. Teaching at Bible College every other year.
X. Unscheduled emergencies, opportunities, crises, interruptions, etc., to which it is difficult to say "no" without undesirable consequences.
Is anybody tired yet?
Dave Redick is the Pulpit Minister of the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in Sweet Home, Oregon. He may be reached at dave@preacherstudy.com .
