I (Nelson) love to get up early. I find that by waking up early, I get more done. Often I write first thing in the morning, immediately after my daily quiet time. When I do, I can knock out a lot of writing I want to get done before most people have even started their day.

I (Richard), on the other hand, am not a morning person. I am much more comfortable staying up very late and then getting up late the next day. But over the years I have learned the value of training myself to get up earlier. With five active kids I need to get up early just to stay ahead of them. So now, for the first time in my life, I can consider myself—out of necessity—a morning person.

The Value of Getting Up Earlier
Renegade pastors should wake up earlier than most other people. Being early to rise is an important component for accomplishing everything to which God is calling you—daily, over the longest term, and ultimately. Following are some of the benefits you can expect when you make getting up early a habit in your life:

Health: Studies show that early risers are healthier than night owls. Your ministry is far too important for you to waste time being sick.

Happiness: Early risers are typically happier people. This is especially true for those who incorporate both exercise and quiet reflection into their morning routine. In fact, getting up early might be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your mental and emotional health.

Success: Waking up early can help you be more successful in life and ministry. The list of successful early risers is long and impressive. From John Wesley to J.C. Ryle, in the Christian sphere, to Richard Branson and Apple CEO Tim Cook, many extremely successful individuals extoll the virtues of getting up early.

Time: Early risers have more time to spend with family. This is especially important if you have kids at home. Getting up early gives you time to spend your kids before school and/or with your wife before work. And since you’ll have more daytime hours to get your work done, you may find that you also have more time in the evenings to be home—and otherwise present!—with your family.

When you combine the benefits to mind, body, and spirit, it just makes sense for renegade pastors to be intentional about waking up early.

— Nelson Searcy and Richard Jarman

The above excerpt is from p. 45-46 of The Renegade Pastor’s Guide to Time Management.

Pastors Nelson Searcy and Richard Jarman share their steps to mastering a set of proven time-management principles so that you can regain control of your life. It is possible to manage your time so that you can stay on top of the never-ending demands of being a pastor, nurture your congregation, spend quality time with your family, and take care of your physical and emotional needs. Become the pastor God has called you to be. The next move is yours.

P.S. — Click here to get your copy from Amazon today!

Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.