This is Kerrick Thomas – and for the last 12 years I’ve served alongside of Nelson Searcy as Executive Pastor of The Journey Church. I’m guest blogging today and wanted to share a question I received from a member of my Executive Pastors Coaching Network, a pastor from Moline, IL.

Q: “Hello Kerrick, my greatest weakness is organization, and I have trouble starting it and maintaining it. I was wondering what you thought or had any suggestions.” 

A: Great question – and a barrier to growth for a lot of pastors.

1 – Organization is a personal thing.  So, you’ve got to find a system that works for you.  But some common elements of systems that work:

• You have one calendar where you keep everything.
• You have one to-do list that you write down (apps and other things like that don’t seem to work as well as a pen and paper).  Should have a date with every to-do.
• You end every day by starting the next day.  You plan out your next day before you leave the office that day.  That enables you to leave everything at work and jump in the next day.
• Be on time.  Make that a commitment.  And best to be early.  If you can go into work a little early every morning that gives you time to get organized as well.
• Figure out where you are most unorganized and set a goal in that area and ask someone to hold you accountable.

Maybe you’ve said “yes” to too many things.  You might need to learn to say “no”.

2 – Here are some books and resources that I get in the hands of those who struggle with organization:

• “Time Power” by Brian Tracey – some great ideas here about how to manage your day.

• “Ordering Your Private World” by Gordon MacDonald – more spiritual in nature – but good especially if your life feels out of control.
• “Mastering the Management Buckets” by John Pearson – Pearson has worked in ministry; this is a book about how to order your work life and help others do the same – especially if you have many different areas.
• “Time Management for Busy Pastors” by Nelson Searcy – this proven resource delivers 34 time management principles that can save you up to an hour a day

Hopefully some of these ideas are helpful.  It’s something we all have to work on – and when we get better it dramatically impacts our Kingdom effectiveness.

Kerrick

P.S. Want to learn more about how you can be more impactful as an Executive or Associate Pastor and grow in 2015? Join my brand new Executive/Associate Pastor Coaching Network for 12 monthly sessions focused on growing the skills necessary to be an effective Executive Pastor as well as mastering the 8 Systems of the Church from an Executive/Associate Pastor perspective.

Click here to apply online now and save $1200 before the Feb 1 rate increase!

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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.