Podcast Episode #249
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play
Time wasting can be a problem regardless of what line of work you’re in. Today we examine time drainers and how they can lessen your ministry effectiveness.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- Don’t take people away from their main task by filling up their schedules with meetings.
- Check your bylaws to see if you really are required to have certain meetings or are just having them out of habit.
- Deal with inquiries immediately instead of scheduling time for meetings later in the week.
- When you’re glad you have something to distract you, that’s a sign of a bad meeting.
- Meetings need definite end times to be the most efficient.
- You don’t have to answer every phone call at the time it comes in.
- To save yourself from distraction, turn off as many smartphone notifications as possible.
- A productive assistant will make you more productive as well.
The eight time drainers we solve are:
- Regularly scheduled meetings
- Add-on meetings
- Non-productive meetings
- Telephone calls
- Social media complexity
- Old school secretaries
- Time in the car
- Counseling
Episode Sponsors
Midwestern Seminary, located in the heart of the Midwest, is one of the fastest growing seminaries in North America and offers a fantastic array of academic programs, including multiple online and residential options at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Midwestern’s new 81-hour Mdiv program, online program, and doctoral program have all been recognized as some of the most innovative and affordable in the country. There has never been a better time to begin your seminary education. Midwestern Seminary trains leaders ‘For The Church.’
Visit them online at MBTS.edu and start your ministry training today.
Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.
Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting WeStaffTheChurch.com.
Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Who Moved My Pulpit?
Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast
- eaHELP (affiliate link)
- Eight Time Drainers of Pastors and Staff (and Eight Solutions)
I’m a church secretary. The last thing I want to do is hinder our pastor or the church. Maybe you could write an article about what a “new school” vs “old school” secretary looks like.
I serve on the board of a Christian organization. We only have four or 5 regularly scheduled meetings each year. They are shortened measurably by having all the information (reports, agenda, data…) in the hands of the members before the meeting.
Many “emergency” situations have been handled by emails in a matter of 2 or 3 hours by way of emails and a couple phone calls, without trying to gather a quorum to hold a meeting.
Good leadership, committed to efficiency, conscious of the time demands on all the members…it works wonders.