Staying the Course

In her new book The Executive Code, strategic advisor Andrea Nicholas provides guidance for senior executives—how you get there and how you stay there. Although I don’t buy into the idea of the pastor of a church as the “chief executive officer,” Nicholas does provide some ideas in her “Longevity Audit” that can be helpful to a clergy leader in staying the course. Let me share the items with you and apply to a congregational setting.

First, does my calendar reflect my values—or just my obligations? Where did your time go last month? The allocation of your time shows where you place your personal and pastoral emphases. If you think you are strong in caring for those in your congregation, how much time did you spend with individual members? If family time is important, how much time did you spend with spouse and other family members?

Second, when was the last time I laughed—really? Expressions of joy come from moments of happiness—often unexpected. How often you place yourself in situations where you can relieve your stress and experience real joy?

Third, do I have recurring, restorative activities scheduled with the same rigor as board [or church leadership] meetings? What gets scheduled gets done. Put family or personal events on the calendar and when asked to do something at that time, you can honestly say,
“No, I have an appointment at that time.”

Fourth, who can I speak to—without filtering—when the pressure mounts? The high rate of moral failure among clergy can be directly related to isolation. Who do you trust to provide a safe space when you need to vent? Your spouse shouldn’t have to take that load. I recommend you seek out a mentor or a coach who will guide or walk along with you in challenging times. Sometimes engaging a mental health professional may be helpful.

Fifth, do I regularly nourish my body—sleep, food, hydration—as intentionally as I fuel my church’s growth? We are called to be good stewards of what God has given us, including our bodies. Both physical and mental health are important for leaders to remain engaged and effective.

Sixth, what brings me joy and when will I make time for it this week? It is not selfish to set aside time for yourself and activities that refresh or challenge you.

I would also add: How do you nurture your own spiritual life? Preparing a sermon and/or a Bible study every week is not the same as engaging with God intentionally. What spiritual practices nourish your soul?

I love this quote from Adam Grant: “Setting boundaries doesn’t mean you are self-centered. It means you are self-aware.” Leaders who stay the course must not only know the context and the people, but themselves as well.

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