This is one of a series of blogs on FOA – frequently offered advice – based on common themes from my coaching work over the last 20 years. 

I’m sure you’re familiar with the phrase “the tyranny of the urgent.” Leadership in a church or ministry often makes “the urgent” feel like a never-ending, roaring river. A key leader wants an immediate meeting, finances are in the red, a marriage is in crisis, the recently launched initiative is struggling, the roof is leaking, a staff member resigned unexpectedly, and more. And if you’re the primary preacher, an inspiring message is expected every 7 days.

That is why ministry leaders must be crystal clear about a limited set of priorities. Answer this question: What are the 2 or 3 major, non-routine things that you need to accomplish in the current season? “Current season” focuses on the next 2 to 6 months. “Non-routine” excludes ongoing activities. Revamping the process for assimilation is major and non-routine; teaching the new member class is not. Restructuring the staff is major and non-routine; coaching the individuals on staff is not. I am not suggesting that the routine things are unimportant, but these larger projects require a different kind of thought and energy.

In most roles, 2 or 3 priorities are all you can handle in a given season. It’s easy to think, “I can do more than that.” But this ignores the time that is required by routine activities and the reality that some urgent things can’t be ignored. 

Having clear priorities will help you answer 3 important questions as you order your week: 

• What must I make time for? “If I don’t do anything else this week, I need to make progress on this.” Whatever “this” is should be a genuine priority.
• What part of my schedule must not be changed? A priority needs to be given protected time on your calendar. When urgent needs arise, take the time from other activities, not your priority.
• Where can I say “no”? We all have a limited amount of time, so we’re constantly deciding what to say “yes” or “no” to. Clear priorities help you make a conscious choice about how to respond to urgent needs. Perhaps someone else can solve the problem with the leaking roof or counsel the couple whose marriage is in trouble. 

In Visioneering, Andy Stanley points out a great moment in the story of Nehemiah. When faced with opposition to the project to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, Nehemiah is invited to meet his opponents in a nearby village. He responds, “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down” (Nehemiah 6:3, NIV). Even though dealing with the opposition may have seemed urgent, he was clear about his priority. That’s a great image for every leader to remember. 

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