9. Do what you love.
“One of the quickest ways to burn out is to stop doing what you enjoy.” —Mark Sanborn. Most church planters stop doing what they enjoy. What do you love to do? When is the last time you did that? I’m hyper-responsible, so I have to remind myself at times to “be irresponsible”—go surfing, running, exploring—to push my work aside and do something that has nothing to do with my work.
Action Question: Ask, “What do I want to do?” for the rest of your life.
10. Date your wife.
I wrote an entire book about this, because If your marriage is strong and healthy, you can face almost anything. Pastors are in the unique position of having the one job where marriage can disqualify you. Men, we can do what we do because of our wives. Don’t forget this.
Action Question: Are you taking good care of your wife?
11. Set the culture.
The values written on your walls won’t matter if your culture does not reinforce them. Culture trumps everything. As the planter, you set the culture of your church. Set it intentionally, set it early, and realize that you are always setting and protecting it.
Action Question: How can you nurture the culture of your church this quarter?
12. Take care of yourself financially.
This one is easy to ignore, but nobody will think of this but you. Cities are expensive and you will need to have a plan for how you will take care of your family so you are not constantly worrying about providing for them.
Action Question: Are things set up such that you and your family are adequately provided for financially?
13. Get your sermon done earlier.
I have found it works much better for me to aim to get my sermon done by Wednesday afternoon, giving me the rest of the week to be with people, handle other responsibilities and not have my sermon hanging over my head all week. Discover what works best for you, your family and your church, and do it.
Action Question: What’s a good time of the week to finish your sermon by, a new deadline to aim for that would free you up?
14. Let God wreck you.
Shortly before planting Garden City Church, I had my idolatry exposed and crushed as a result of some very difficult circumstances in my life. The Lord used that to build me into the man who is leading my church today. Church planting can be the best education/sanctifier of your life. Embrace what God is doing and you will be a better leader as a result.
Action Question: What is God teaching you in your pain and weakness?
15. Stay excited about Jesus.
This is the single most important thing you can do for yourself and the church. Your leadership flows from your relationship with Jesus, so your most important meeting of the day is connecting with him. Staying encouraged and excited about Jesus = healthy leadership.
Action Question: Have you lost your wonder and fascination with Jesus? How can you get it back?