It's become necessary to restructure my schedule in order to ensure that I maintain priorities as we all try and accomplish the goals the LORD has set for both home and church. The following will be my schedule for the time being. PLEASE read it carefully, copy it, post it on your refrigerator, and help us to keep it. For the past month or so, I've worked 60-70 hours per week, neglected Dad Dates, and basically run myself ragged. That's pretty bad for someone who goes around preaching family priorities, don't you think! So learn from my failure to maintain, and reevaluate your own schedules in light of the priorities we've studied many times in the past. Thanks!
** Please try and call during the day, rather than the evening, whenever possible. Because of my 18 year long migraine, and natural sleep cycle, I need evenings to wind down and get to sleep early. Every evening call is an addition to my work schedule and a subtraction from family time. Most importantly, modeling the maintenance of family discipleship priorities is a primary responsibility of pastoral elders (1 Tim 3; Titus 1). Thanks!
The following is an outline of my priorities. Please pray that I'll keep them consistently. Also you can use these as a guideline to help you set up your own priorities:
I. Family Time
A. Time alone with God daily (Listen to Him through His Word, and
speak to Him in prayer)
B. Time with your whole family (devotions, fun time, etc..)
C. Time alone with your spouse regularly.
D. Time alone with each of your children regularly.
II. Prayerful study of the Word
III. Ministering the Word (Privately & Publicly) (Oral &
Written)
A. Privately (personal discipleship counseling: face to face,
phone, email, etc...)
1. To our families in our church
2. To unsaved and unchurched folks outside our church
3. To pastors & families in other churches
B. Publicly (web articles, booklets, sermons, classes, seminars . .
. )
IV. Business & Physical Necessities (home and church)
A. Home (financial management, home repairs, auto repair, errands
...)
B. Church (financial oversight, Bylaws/constitution, coordinate
classes, including meeting places, set up, advertisement, student list, mail
outs, etc...)
|
Sunday 10 hours of Work |
Monday 10 hours of Work |
Tuesday 10 hours of Work |
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday 10 hours of Work |
Saturday 5 hours of Work |
7 AM Email 8 AM Family Devotions
3 PM - 5:00 PM 5:00 - 7 PM (These two DC, discipleship counseling, slots
are for heads of household or couples, who can't meet with a pastoral
elder during
the week. The plan is for each head of house
to meet twice monthly with a pastoral elder.) |
6 AM Email 7 AM Family Devotions 8 AM Brkfast 8:30 Dad Date Steven 9:00 - 12:00 12 - 2 PM Personal Pastoral Discipleship Counseling (This slot is for heads of household or couples, who are are able to meet during the midweek). 2:00 - 6:00 |
6 AM Email 7 AM Family Devotions 8 AM Brkfast 8:30 Dad Date Kathleen 9:00 - 11:00 * 11:00 - 12:00 12:00 - 2:00 * 3:00 - 5:00 * * Please note that 15-30 minutes before and after each PPDC time is alloted for prayer, preparation, for the next meeting. |
6 AM Email 7 AM Family Devotions 8 AM Brkfast 8:30 Dad Date Amy
Sid's
Please try to avoid calling Sid or Linda or the kids during family time off, unless it is a serious emergency. |
6 AM Email 7 AM Family Devotions 8 AM Brkfast 8:30 Dad Date Michael
Please try to avoid calling Sid or Linda or the kids during family time off, unless it is a serious emergency. |
6 AM Email 7 AM Family Devotions 8 AM Brkfast 8:30 Dad Date Lisa 9:00 - 12:00
12 - 2 PM Personal Pastoral Discipleship Counseling (This slot is for heads of household or couples, who are are able to meet during the midweek). 2:00 - 6:00 |
6 AM Email 7 AM Family Devotions 8 AM Brkfast 8:30 Dad Date David
12 - 2 PM Sid's Family Please try to avoid calling Sid or Linda or the kids during family time off, unless it is a serious emergency. |
For more help setting up and keeping your own priorities, see
the following articles and outlines from our
Marriage
and Family Articles: