What Should You Cut? A Pastor’s Guide to Simplifying Your Ministry
A Practical Guide to Cutting Out the Noise and Gaining Clarity in Your Ministry
As a pastor, it’s easy to feel like you're wearing a dozen hats at once. You’ve got sermons to prepare, meetings to attend, emails to answer, calls to make, and people to care for.
You’re constantly pulled in multiple directions.
It's tough, and it feels like there's never enough time for the work that really matters.
And isn’t it funny how everyone’s problem suddenly becomes your problem?
You’re like the designated fixer of everything from spiritual crises to fixing the coffee machine.
“Hey, Pastor, can you help with this?”
Sure... (because clearly, I went to seminary to learn how to reboot the printer.)
But here’s the truth: not everything you’re doing is equally important.
If you’re feeling stretched thin, it might be time to make some tough decisions about what to let go of and where to focus your energy.
Let’s dive into a simple, 3-step framework that will help you get clarity on what to cut and what to double down on in your ministry.
Recognize The Problem: Too Much on Your Plate is Hurting Your Impact
Trying to do it all isn’t just unsustainable—it’s ineffective. You’re left exhausted, with only surface-level impact in areas that could benefit from your full attention.
The reality is, not everything demands your direct involvement.
What you choose to focus on (and what you choose to let go of) will determine how effective you are in fulfilling your calling.
It’s like trying to be a one-man band. Sure, you can play the tambourine with your foot, the harmonica with your mouth, and the guitar with your hands—but none of it’s sounding great, is it?
So how do you get clear on what to eliminate and what to focus on?
Step 1: Reaffirm Your Core Calling
Start by zooming out and reflecting on the core of your ministry. What is God calling you to in this specific season?
Ask yourself:
- What are the unique strengths God has given me for this ministry?
- What are the few things that only I can do as the pastor of this church?
Write these down. These are your non-negotiables—your “North Star” in ministry. Anything outside of these areas should be questioned.
This step is critical because it helps you reconnect with why you’re in ministry in the first place.
(Now pushing 3 decades of ministry, I know personally how easy it is to lose sight of that.)
It’s easy to get distracted by everything that needs to be done, but not everything is equally aligned with your purpose.
If an activity doesn’t move the needle on your core calling, it’s time to seriously consider letting it go.
Remember, you didn’t get into ministry to schedule carpet cleanings or sort out Wi-Fi outages.
Really drill down on this: Who can you delegate that list to?
(Some of it can be handled on the cheap by someone outside your church.)
Step 2: Audit Your Time Ruthlessly
Once you’ve identified your core calling, it’s time to evaluate where your time is actually going.
For one week, track everything you do.
Yes, everything—from prepping sermons to answering emails, meeting with congregants, and planning events.
At the end of the week, take an honest look at the list.
You might find that you’ve been spending an awful lot of time on things like…well, anything but what you should be doing.
It’s like that classic "quick meeting" that somehow turns into a debate over who’s bringing cookies to the next church potluck.
Suddenly, two hours have gone by, and you’re wondering how you got there. Meanwhile, your sermon still needs an ending.
Ask yourself these key questions:
- Can someone else do this?
- Is this necessary, or is it just “busy work”?
- Does this contribute to the mission I’ve been called to fulfill?
The goal here is to identify tasks that don’t need to be on your plate. Once you spot them, either delegate them or cut them altogether.
This process will free up more of your time for the work that really matters.
Step 3: Set Boundaries That Protect Your Priorities
Now that you’ve reaffirmed your calling and freed up some time, the next step is to protect that time fiercely.
This means setting hard boundaries around what you’ll say yes to and, more importantly, what you’ll say no to.
It’s tempting to say yes to everything, especially when it feels like every request is urgent.
But if you don’t set boundaries, you’ll quickly fall back into the same trap of being overwhelmed and overextended.
Ever notice how people love to ask, “Got a minute?”
That’s the classic opening to a minimum 45-minute conversation.
What they’re really asking is, “Got an hour? A day? Maybe your whole week?”
Here’s a practical way to start setting boundaries:
- Block your time: Schedule your high-priority tasks first—sermon prep, personal prayer, discipleship, or whatever aligns most with your calling. If it’s on your calendar, it’s protected.
- Learn to say no: This might be the hardest part, but it’s essential. Not every meeting, event, or request deserves a “yes” from you. Politely decline anything that doesn’t align with your focus. Remember, every “no” frees you up to give your best “yes” to the things that matter most.
And let’s face it, sometimes saying no feels like telling someone they can’t have another spoonful of banana pudding at the church potluck. Awkward, but necessary.
Bottom Line: Laser-Focus Leads to Greater Impact
At the end of the day, trying to do everything waters down your effectiveness. But when you focus on the few things that truly align with your calling, you’ll find renewed energy, clarity, and a greater impact in your ministry. The work you do will go deeper, and the people you serve will feel the difference.
Take this as a challenge: Identify one thing this week that you can delegate, eliminate, or say no to. Then, double down on the things that only you can do—the things that move the needle on your core calling. You’ll be surprised at how much more freedom and effectiveness you’ll experience when you focus on less.
Take Action Now
Eliminate the noise. Focus on what matters.
It’s time to let go of the distractions and pour your energy into the ministry you’ve been uniquely called to.
Start by doing one thing today: free up time for what matters most.
Your ministry will thank you for it—and so will your Wi-Fi.
BEST LINKS
💪 Health
- Keytones and Your Brain (We discovered keto before it was cool when combatting our daughter's epilepsy. Ketogenic = brain optimization, imo.)
- How to Get Super Fit With A Crazy Schedule (YouTube) 12 min (Notes I took on it for you.)
📈 Productivity
- 3 Ways Expository Preaching Helps With Time Management (NAMB)
- Deep Productivity: The Art of Balancing Focus, Rest, and Emotional Intelligence (Reddit)
- Chet Holmes' "Touch It Once" Hack (X.com)
ICYMI
