Perfectionism wears a choir robe.
It sounds holy.
Speaks in a stained-glass voice.
It says “just one more tweak” while Sunday keeps sprinting toward you.
Here’s the truth:
If it never ships, it never influences.
It's an enemy of the solid finish.
The Big Idea To Catch First
Excellence is iterative.
Finish what serves people this week, then improve it next week.
Faithfulness isn’t endless polish.
It’s finishing on time so others can act.
The Perfectionism Stall Effect
Perfectionism pretends to protect your reputation.
In practice, it:
- Delays help to real people.
- Bottlenecks your team.
- Turns Saturday into a stress factory.
- Trains you to avoid hard feedback, which is the only feedback that grows you.
Perfectionism feels like leadership.
It functions like fear.
A Theology of “Done”
Did you miss God's own pattern?
For a long time, I did.
Notice...
God works in sequences:
Make, call it good, move forward, refine later.
Even Paul.
He finished the race, not the polishing.
Faithfulness is completing the assignment you’ve been given, in the time you’ve been given.
That’s not cutting corners.
That’s stewardship.
What “Done Is Better Than Perfect” Actually Means
- Definition of finished for recurring work. You know when to stop.
- Time limits that keep work inside the pastoral week.
- Version 1 now, Version 2 soon. Treat ministry assets like software. Release notes welcome.
- People-first priorities. Clarity beats cosmetics. On time beats overdesigned.
What It Doesn’t Mean
(Ok, so pay attention, brother... therapy ahead.)
Done-is-better-than-perfect is not...
- It's not sloppy Bible handling.
- It's not ignoring safety, finances, or counseling ethics.
- It's not skipping proofreading, permissions, or attribution.
- It's not settling. You still review, learn, and upgrade.
Pastor Use Cases (Real Life, not Theory)
You live in the real world where this paradigm actually hits.
So let's lob a few spits balls around it...
Sermon Prep
Lock the big idea early.
Build the outline.
Draft the message.
Stop hunting for the “perfect” illustration at 11:47 PM on Saturday.
Preach the clearest version you have.
On Monday, note what landed.
Tighten the structure for next week.
Your people need clarity more than a tenth quote from a book you only skimmed.
Small Groups
Launch with a one-page discussion guide and three great questions.
Don’t wait to finish a 40-page leader manual with a logo that looks like an athletic brand.
Start. The. Groups!
After two weeks, collect feedback.
Expand where leaders actually struggled.
Guest Follow-Up
Send the simple text or email today.
Thank them. Offer one clear next step.
Add the fancy design later.
Momentum now, polish later.
Volunteer Onboarding
Post the “starter” expectations and a quick video from you.
It won’t win Sundance.
It will get new greeters on the schedule.
Gather hiccups from week one.
Fix the two biggest blockers.
That’s iteration.
Events
Set a date, theme, and 3-sentence promise.
Publish.
Resist the urge to hold the event hostage until the branding kit has six approved colorways.
People come for value and clarity.
(That's it. Stop kidding yourself.)
Nail those, and then you can add the fog machine. Maybe.
The Excellence Standard
Excellence is “excellent enough to bless.”
Ask:
- Is it true to Scripture?
- Is it clear about next steps?
- Is it on time so my team can execute?
If yes, ship it.
Then improve it.
Excellence isn’t a single act.
It’s a cadence.
Why Iteration Works in Ministry
- Reality beats imagination. You find real gaps only after people engage.
- Speed compounds. Weekly improvements stack faster than annual overhauls.
- Trust grows. People learn you deliver on time. Then they believe you when you dream bigger.
Common Objections
#1 “God deserves our best.”
Agreed.
Our best includes serving people on time and refining through feedback.
("Best" carries more markers in the deliverable than "it's perfect"at the end.)
Excellence without deadlines is fantasy.
Take it from a dude who writes a weekly newsletter.
Flawed as it is... it's ministering to readers (based on the feedback I get).
It ships. It lands.
Imperfectly, but does land (glory to God).
#2 “People will notice imperfections.”
They also notice delays, confusion, and silence.
(And more often, to tell ya the truth.)
Consistency builds more trust than cosmetics.
#3 “What if I get it wrong?”
You will.
That’s why you iterate.
Better to be 80% right today and 100% right next round than 0% useful forever.
A Word on Identity
I'm writing this article to my former self and my sometimes today-self.
Perfectionism ties your worth to flawless output.
That’s is a trap.
You’re not auditioning for God.
You’re shepherding people.
Finish what helps them today.
Let tomorrow’s you make it better.
Bottom Line
This week, choose finished over flawless, done over perfect.
Publish the thing.
Preach the message.
Send the invite.
Start the group.
Have the meeting.
Then circle back and upgrade what mattered.
Ship now. Improve soon. Serve always.
And hey, don't worry about the Perfection Police (aka Pharisees).
Because in the gospels we learn something.
Namely, that Jesus has a way of exposing the fact that the ones who demanded perfection never even had it themselves.
More Resources To Help You Optimize
🥤Momentum Shake: The Complete Longevity Shake for Optimal Health
🎥 Sermon Shots: Repurpose Sermons Into Clips & Other Engaging Content in Minutes
💊 My (Scott's) full supplement regimen