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I thought more about yesterday’s post, I realized that there are several factors I’ve been considering on how to build gap into my work schedule.  Because I’m employed by The Journey Church (and CCHS), then my employer should have some say in how many hours I work.  And, as with most jobs, there are duties that exist outside those normal hours.  However, I am the one ultimately responsible for my schedule.  Here are the factors I consider as I’m thinking about how to create discipline in my schedule.

season of life and season of ministry

Earlier this year, Craig Groeschel wrote about this very idea on his blog, and it has stuck with me.  Perhaps his post “Ministry Within the Seasons” was the impetus for this very journey to understanding discipline in my life?  Who knows?

He points out that different seasons of ministry call for different work schedules, and I agree.  I have two kids now.  That changes how I create my work schedule, and it influences how much time I can give extra to the church and ministry.  But, too, I have to try to balance the season of life with the fact that our church is only 3 years old.  Leadership is in short supply right now, and I have to shoulder a lot more than I will in a few years (if I do my job well!).

talk

What I’m trying to do to find the right rhythm is stay in communication with my wife.  This is key because when I don’t communicate to her what’s going on, and I’m gone to meetings and helping with events and working on ministry stuff, then she gets resentful.  She doesn’t get to be part of my life and schedule because I leave her out. But when I let her know that a tough few weeks is ahead, and that after that I will be much more free, she can brace herself for that time.  And, we can work together to find ways to spend time as a family, despite my busy schedule.

walk

I watch my kids closely and listen to them.  About a month ago, Isaac (age 3) asked me, “Do you have to go to church tonight?”  When I said, “No,” he perked up and asked, “Then can we play chase?”  I’ve got to be aware that I explain, in terms they can understand, where and why I’m going.  And, I need to make sure that I’m explaining my love (verbally and physically) to them as much as possible.  My wife has also mentioned that during days where they don’t see much of me, they get very irritable and difficult to deal with.  If that’s happening, I know I need to be careful how I plan my schedule.

chalk

Who can do what I’m doing?  I’ve become much more aware of the things I spend my time doing, and I’ve started to look aggressively for people to do what I do.  If I don’t replace myself, when I die, I’ll still be doing everything I’m doing right now!  Teaching and training other people is now a part of my consideration of my schedule.  Who can go with me, work with me, do this with me?

Brick by Brick

As Craig says in that blog post I mentioned above, balance is impossible to achieve.  A healthy rhythm is the aim.  I agree mostly with that, but I can easily use the “this season of ministry just requires more of me” excuse every week.  I can always find more to do, more to read, more to improve, more to add to my schedule.  But what is impossible to do is add mortar once you’ve stacked the bricks.  And bricks without mortar don’t stick together. They fall…easily.  But with mortar — which creates a gap — those bricks become a foundation that is solid and true.

I want my family and my ministry to be a wall, not a stack of bricks.