Why You Should Exchange Busyness for Productivity This Year

It’s 2024, and “busy” has officially become the new “good.”

You may have been in this exact scenario over the last couple of weeks: Someone asks you how you are doing after the holiday vacation. Instantly, your mind is flooded with to-do lists, missed hours of sleep, and an endless stream of meetings. Your automatic response? "Oh, you know, just busy!" Sound familiar?

I promise I’m not judging – I’ve been there, too! As someone who prides myself on being a go-getter, I understand the urge to fill my plate so I can get things done – especially when it comes to church leadership. Being “busy” almost feels like a badge of honor, like I’m being a good steward of the time and gifts God has given me. And the start of a new year typically amplifies this feeling, bringing with it a flood of fresh tasks and responsibilities. 

Busyness isn’t the Same Thing as Productivity

But after dedicating over a decade to ministry, I've come to recognize a vital distinction: being productive isn't the same as being busy, and being “busy” simply isn’t what we’re called to as church leaders!

This realization didn't come to me overnight. It was the result of many years spent trying to dodge burnout and then learning the hard way. Every list checked off and every task accomplished seemed like a step forward, but it often left me wondering about the true impact of my efforts. It's a common trap in ministry: mistaking motion for progress and activity for effectiveness.

So, as we kick off the new year, I feel compelled to share my conviction with you. I believe God has more in store for us this year than just a whirlwind of ticking boxes and filling calendars. I want to step into a more meaningful approach to ministry – an approach where I’m not just doing more but being more – more present, more intentional, and more in step with the Spirit. With that in mind, here are a few reflections I feel will help us exchange busyness with Kingdom productivity!

Trust God with Your Time

It’s one thing to say we trust God; it’s another thing to actually practice it. One of the areas I have the most difficult “time” trusting God with is my time. I've learned, sometimes the hard way, that trusting God with my time isn't just about squeezing in more tasks; it's about aligning my days with His plans. Psalm 127:1 has always stood out to me in this regard: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” This is a reminder that all of my hustling amounts to little if it's not rooted in what God wants for me and my ministry.

How do we trust God with our time? It starts with slowing down, spending more time in prayer, and actually resting. Rather than rushing against the clock to get through our to-do lists, we should always pause to ensure that we are seeking God and spending time in His presence. This way - when we're working - we're really making it count because it's grounded in His wisdom and strength. Time is a gift from God, not just a resource to max out. When we trust Him with our time, we’re stepping into a rhythm of work that's more about His grace and less about our grind.

Don’t Forget About the Sabbath

Speaking of rest, let's talk about the importance of the Sabbath! I once thought that Sabbath rest was a reward for hard work during the week. If I didn’t get everything done leading up to my day off, I felt like I didn’t deserve to rest. But I've come to realize that Sabbath is not just a prize for our efforts; it's a gift from God. Embracing this rest has been a game-changer for me. Observing the Sabbath is a powerful way to acknowledge that while our efforts matter, it's ultimately God who sustains and revitalizes us. It's a weekly reminder that our true value isn't measured by our productivity but by our relationship with Him. 

It's in these moments of intentional pause that we can hear God’s voice most clearly, guiding and directing us. It's a weekly invitation to reset our priorities and recenter our lives around God’s presence and purpose.

Your Output isn’t Everything 

I once heard a pastor reflecting sorrowfully on a time in his life when he became self-reliant instead of dependent on God’s voice. “We made it halfway through our church services one day,” he shared, “when I realized that I had not included God in my planning.” That line always stuck with me. At the end of the day, the real heart of productivity in ministry isn't about the volume of what we do; it's found in our responsiveness to God’s heart. 

Are we making decisions based on what we think is best, or are we pausing to listen for God’s direction? Are we building our own ministries and our own kingdoms, or are we taking time to be in relationship with the Father who doesn’t just love our congregations but also loves and desires us? Ultimately, our output matters little if we aren’t receiving input from God. 

People > Productivity 

In ministry, we often find ourselves pulled in a hundred different directions, with to-do lists that never seem to end. But let's not lose sight of what really matters: people. Serving and caring for them, just like Jesus did, is the real heartbeat of what we're here to do. The administrative duties are important, of course, but people will always be more valuable than ticking off tasks.

Importantly, I’m not just talking about the people in our congregations. We also need to focus on the people in our personal lives: our families, our friends, and staff teams. We shouldn’t be so swept up in ‘doing’ that we forget the art of being – being there for a colleague’s moment of need or being present to tuck our kids into bed with their favorite story. While there are certainly times when our ministry work demands our full attention, we must always keep our hearts attuned to the people around us. As we go through our busy days, let's make sure we're not just doing jobs at church but actually being the Church! Let’s make sure we prioritize people, just like Jesus did. That’s what true Kingdom productivity is about!

Conclusion

As we dive into 2024, my hope is that we can all exchange busyness for Kingdom productivity! Looking for other ways to increase your effectiveness in ministry? Breeze’s church management software system exists to help your church simplify and streamline your operations. Learn more and sign up for a free, 14-day trial by clicking here.