 The Rev. Sharon L. Vandegrift, M.Div, PCC
Author, Coach, and United Methodist Minister
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Dispel the Myth of Urgency
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Quote Of the Month
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"What comes first, the compass or the clock? Before one can truly manage time (the clock), it is important to know where you are going, what your priorities and goals are, and in which direction you are headed (the compass). Where you are headed is more important than how fast you are going. Rather than always focusing on what's urgent, learn to focus on what is really important." ~Author Unknown
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| Prayer for the Month |
God of Wisdom, as we strive toward more holy living, help us when we are getting caught up in the whirlwind of false urgency. Teach us to discern what is really important. Give us the ability to put you in the middle of each situation, circumstance and task. In all that we think and say and do, grant us awareness of essential purpose and the inner peace. Call forth the best in us. In Christ, Amen.
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Quick Links
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by Sharon L.Vandegrift
Available in paperback and Ebook at your favorite
on-line bookstore.
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Greetings!
When engaging in ministry, it is common to experience a feeling that expectations are extreme and the pressure to accomplish the task at hand is intense. So the theme this month is Dispel the Myth of Urgency.
Enjoy ~ Sharon
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Dispel the Myth of Urgency
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Do you experience days when you are very busy, but, in the end, feel like you have accomplished nothing of significance? Are you often engaged in activity that seems urgent in the moment, but in retrospect, was unimportant? If the answer to these questions is 'yes', it is time to dispel the myth of urgency!
This quandary is easily fostered in a church culture. The myth of urgency is a whirlwind of melodrama that we create when we embrace a belief that everything we do is both extremely important and must be accomplished immediately. Because we are highly invested in our ministry efforts, we may translate that into a sense of unwarranted urgency.
The ability to identify issues not as unimportant, but rather as necessary but not urgent, will give us the space and grace to accomplish the tasks at hand while maintaining focus on the deeper purpose that underlies our work. By being mindful of the problem, we can engage in the work of dispelling the myth of urgency. As we move forward, abandon the frenzy that surrounds tasks we have branded as 'urgent' and find a more centered and effective approach to addressing the vital issues of mission and ministry.
- Are you aware of a situation in your church where it might be useful for those involved to dispel the myth of urgency?
- What would it be like for you and your congregation to open up 'space and grace' for engaging in ministry tasks?
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Query for the Coach
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Dear Sharon,
I just graduated from seminary last year and I
really love my new parish. My New Year's resolution was to work harder on my sermons. But there is so much important ministry to do that I find myself setting aside sermon preparation until Saturday night. It keeps happening. I feel very guilty about this and I really want to change it. But, every time I sit down and try to focus, I am interrupted by a phone call, or a church member stops by the office. Being available to my people is very important to me, and I am not willing to just shut my office door or ignore the phone. I do want to be a better preacher and know I have to do something different. But, whenever I try, it doesn't work because I am not willing to turn away the people who need me. Can I have it all?
For Sharon's response: Query for the Coach
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Bridge-the-Gap Life Coaching Services, LLC
Empowering Clergywomen to Excel
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The Rev. Sharon L. Vandegrift, M.Div., PCC
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