Does it seem like you have too many plates to keep spinning? How do you balance priorities: time with God, family, and ministry?

What a great question! Finding time and balancing your priorities is a constant battle for most of us in ministry. But it is possible. The secret is discipline. Try this approach:

1. Determine what your priorities really are.

Make a list of the five to eight key areas that support your life purpose (Why did God create you?). This has personally helped me cope with all the things that demand my time.

If you have more than five to eight, you may get overwhelmed and stressed out. Once you have your list, try and look at all the expectations, the demands on your time, and all your ambitions, and organize them around key areas. Everything must fit under a category. Here's an example:

My personal relationship with God.

My family. My role as a spouse, a parent, and extended relationships.

My ministry as a leader to my congregation; to cast vision and lead.

Preaching and teaching ministry.

Developing and equipping others for ministry.

Shepherding the flock; caring for people.

Your list will look different, but take the time to determine what these areas are. Under each key area, itemize all the activities that are included. Then, every choice that comes at you, evaluate it to see if it fits into one of those key areas. It forces you to ask, "Should this be one of my priorities?"

What is just as important is what is not on the list. You can't do everything. That's why you must have defined these key areas to focus your time in – so that it matches your purpose in life – what you're called to be and do by God. The key is to use these focus areas as a grid for making long-term decisions and commitments.

2. Plan your week in 21 time segments.

You have seven mornings, seven afternoons, and seven evenings. Divide your time up into mornings, afternoons and evenings. The fact is, you can be more effective when you plan these larger blocks of time.

Then, allocate your key areas into those 21 blocks of time. Obviously many of those are going to be filled with your work if you're working somewhere. But you still have remaining blocks. You need to ask yourself which of these will you give to family? Which of these will you give to ministry? Which of these will you give to these key areas?

Here's the deal – if you don't plan your time, someone or something else will plan it for you. Even time wasters will steal it. Make sure all your key areas are given a major block of time.

By the way, if you're married, review your plan with your spouse! I'd go into the reasons, but that's a whole new subject!

Ralph Funk is a licensed church consultant with Coaching 4 Growth. He provides consulting and coaching services to churches and pastors desiring Great Commission health and growth. Contact him at coach@coaching4growth.com.