A 5-Step Strategy To Stop Doing It All... And Multiply Your Impact

A 5-Step Strategy To Stop Doing It All... And Multiply Your Impact

Strategy is all about optimizing resources toward a desired outcome.

I recently heard a definition of "strategy" that made a light bulb come on for me.

It resonated like a tuning fork when I heard it.

It's from entrepreneur Alex Hormozi.

"Strategy is how you choose to allocate your limited resources against unlimited options."

Wow.

Thank you, Mr. Alex.

Nice evolution on a too-commonly-used word in the ministry world, eh? (Read it again.)

For pastors, this definition of strategy isn’t just a leadership principle...

It's a survival skill in the modern ministry jungle.

Application for Pastors: Life Management and Productivity

Ministry, like entrepreneurship, involves finite resources—time, energy, attention, and often limited finances.

Yet, the demands and opportunities for service, teaching, counseling, administration, and community engagement can feel endless.

Without a strategy, pastors risk becoming a jack-of-all-trades and a master of burnout.

(My conversations with hundreds of pastors have yielded quite the peek.)

Pastor Loyd is one.

He used to feel like he was running on a treadmill that someone else controlled.

His days were packed with meetings, event planning, and endless to-dos, leaving little time for sermon prep or personal prayer.

One night, his wife gently asked, “Are you pastoring people or just managing chaos?”

That question led him to rethink everything.

By applying some principles I'm about to share with you, Loyd reclaimed his focus.

Six months later, his sermons were sharper, his team was stronger, and he finally felt like a shepherd instead of a one-man fire department.

What are the strategic steps to managing limited resources against unlimited options?

I'm glad you asked.

5 Steps to bring "strategy" to time, life and ministry management.

1 - Clarify the Mission:
Every decision should align with your church's mission and personal calling.

For pastors, this might translate into asking:

• "How does this help me disciple more people effectively?"
• "How does this deepen the spiritual growth of those I shepherd?"

Anything that doesn't directly serve these core outcomes should be reassessed or delegated.

Pro tip: If you’ve organized the church office closet so many times that you’ve named the brooms, it’s time to delegate.

2 - Prioritize High-Impact Activities:
Evaluate your to-do list using this framework.

Focus your time and energy on activities that yield the most significant spiritual and relational impact:

• Preparing sermons that resonate and grow your congregation.
• Investing in leadership development within your church.
• Spending intentional time in prayer and study to maintain your spiritual vitality.

Think of it this way:

Is your time better spent planning the annual chili cook-off (or whatever its equivalent that keeps whack-a-moling back into your schedule) or equipping others to lead a thriving small group ministry?

As Abe Lincoln used to say, "Chili is delicious, but discipleship is eternal."

3 - Audit and Eliminate:
Regularly audit your schedule and responsibilities to identify activities that:

• Drain your energy without measurable benefit.
• Can be delegated to others.
• Distract from your primary calling (or at least, from the stuff they would justly fire you over for not doing well)

Remember, you’re a shepherd, not a sheep herder.

Herding every detail will wear you out.

4 - Ask the Right Questions:
Before committing to an activity, event, or meeting, pause and ask:

• "Does this bring the congregation closer to Christ?"
• "Does this equip others to fulfill their ministry more effectively?"
• "Is this the best use of my unique gifts and resources?"

If the answer is no, decline with grace.

If guilt starts to creep in, remind yourself:

Even Jesus said no—especially to Pharisees.

"You should only do what only you can do." - Jim Collins

5 - Focus on Multiplication:
Like a business's focus on acquiring and retaining customers, you gotta keep the focus or go "out of business."

A pastor's strategy of focus should prioritize:

• Discipling others to disciple others (spiritual multiplication)
• Elevating, educating and celebrating evangelism
• Empowering and equipping leaders who extend the reach of your ministry

If you’re doing all the work, you’re holding your ministry back.

(You're welcome, Sir Bottleneck.)

Delegate, empower, and trust God with all of it, and watch your efforts ripple outward like loaves and fish feeding thousands.

Example of Application:

If, as a pastor, you face the choice between personally organizing a church event or mentoring a group of emerging leaders, the higher impact may come from investing in the leaders.

Delegating the event planning allows you to focus on multiplying their influence.

And let’s be honest: mentoring leaders comes with less glitter glue and fewer trashbags.

Bottom Line:
Time isn’t just money—it’s ministry.

By thinking deeply about how to allocate limited resources against infinite demands, you can achieve greater impact, avoid burnout, and align your efforts with your highest calling.

Because at the end of the day, your congregation doesn’t need a frazzled chief cook and bottle washer; they need a focused shepherd.

And remember: when in doubt, avoid chili...

Or worse, joining committees with "chili" in their name.