As pastors or church leaders, you may find your schedule overflowing and life in ministry continuously demanding. Yet, in the midst of all these responsibilities, the most important investment you can make this week lies in an unexpected area: character development.
Renowned author Seth Godin once noted, "Choosing to develop character is difficult because it requires avoiding the shorter, more direct path. It can be slow, expensive and difficult work." Indeed, it’s easy to get caught up in the flurry of tasks that demand our attention. Mondays, in particular, can be a rush to tick off as many boxes from the ever-growing to-do list.
Yet, Godin's quote opens up a crucial perspective – character development, although challenging, is a worthwhile endeavor for church leaders. Unlike tasks crossed off a to-do list, the benefits of investing in character development stretch far beyond the confines of a single workday.
Character development equates to deep work. While it may not offer immediate results, the impact is significant and long-lasting. In your church leadership role, developing character is crucial not only for self-growth but also for positively influencing others - your church staff, key volunteers, and board. This responsibility, though challenging, has profound value and aligns deeply with your calling in ministry.
Here's an actionable step for achieving this key component of effective leadership as part of embracing deep work.
Ask yourself this important question: What meeting can you arrange right now to help develop someone's character and make a long-term difference in their life? This prompt should lead you to consider those around you who may benefit from intentional character development.
Investing in character development requires time, effort, emotional intelligence, and patience. However, it's this kind of personal investment in people that will yield long-term dividends — not just in the growth of your church staff but in the overall health of your church community.
For more insight into integrating deep work into your leadership and ministry, don’t miss out on today's Deep Work Podcast episode. Continue to develop character and enhance your impact within your church community.