One of the aspects of leading a growing church that I’m trying to come to grips with is learning to let go of things I can no longer do. For your sake and mine, I thought I’d make a list of things I no longer have time to do:
I can’t take every phone call at the office. I have to block time to study, and then actually spend that time studying. Not talking on the phone. No matter who you are or how much I like you. So don’t take it personally, but unless you’re my wife or my son’s sitter I may have to call you back.
I can’t take many phone calls at home, either. Often times if you call my cell after 5 or 6 at night I may not answer, nor call you back ’til the next day. Unless it’s a real emergency, that time belongs to my family. Leave me a message. Or better yet, call your family group members – that’s what they’re there for. Say you don’t have a family group? Talk to me Sunday and I’ll have you in one before the week is out.
I can’t socialize as much before/after/between services. This was a tough one to learn, but because I have to speak three times now on Sunday mornings, I have to concentrate on saving my voice as much as possible. You’ll still see me some, but not as much as before.
I can’t sing along during the services. This one is killing me. But as I just mentioned, speaking back to back to back is tougher on my voice than I thought it’d be. So for now I’m trying to not sing during the music part of the service. If you notice me not participating, cut me some slack.
I can’t counsel everyone. There are too many of you and not enough of me, and my to-do list grows longer every day. And even though I could probably help you, I’m not a trained counselor, which means it may take me twice as long to help you in the same way someone who is trained could. And trust me, neither of us has that kind of time.
I can’t marry everyone. I’m having to start saying no to some weddings because of the time commitment that’s involved in doing them. After 4-5 hours of counseling, 2-3 hours for the rehearsal & dinner, then 3-4 hours for the wedding & reception, it’s getting to be a bit much. And believe me, RPC’ers really take that “love your neighbor” thing seriously ’cause we’ve got A LOT of people wanting to get married.
I can’t be very involved in event planning anymore. Ok, I was never really that good at this one anyway (something about “details” just makes my eyes glaze over), but as we’ve grown I seem to know less and less about what’s going on between Sundays. Unless I’m speaking at it, in which case I’ll know my topic and not a lot else. In other words, you probably shouldn’t ask me the date / time of an event we’re planning. Or what you should bring. Or possibly even where it is. I’ll just tell you to call the office, or ask Susan (if you know who she is). So why not save us both some breath and do that to begin with?
Timm, I am praying that a better solution comes quickly. You sound way to much like all the “other” pastors around town! Don’t make yourself sick, your family (home and church) need you!
hey timm i just wanted to suggest a neat little thing for your sunday morning woes. it’s called “throat coat.” i’m not sure where to get it locally, but i’m sure you can google it and find it. i have to warn you that it tastes gross, but most of the professional singers that i know use it on a daily basis. Just add a little honey to it and you should be good to go.
Sorry, but Justin already gave me some of that, and I’d rather cough up a lung than drink it.
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