It’s easy for ministry leaders to imagine productivity as packed calendars, constant meetings, and an overflowing inbox. But strong leadership isn’t just about doing more—it’s about thinking better.
One of the most potent, underused tools in a leader’s toolkit is scheduled thinking time — an intentional, weekly moment to pause, reflect, and strategize. Avoid thinking of this as wasted time. Instead, view it as part of your schedule where your best decisions and creative breakthroughs often come from.
Why Thinking Time Matters
Most leaders believe they’ll “find time” to think during their week—but honestly, the ministry is busy, and uninterrupted space rarely happens on its own. And for those moments where we find extra time, we don’t often think of using it as thinking time.
Consider this:
A Harvard Business Review study found that leaders who carved out just 15 minutes of daily reflection improved their performance by 23%.
4 Big Benefits of Thinking Time
- Sharper Decisions
When everything is urgent, it’s easy to make reactive choices. Thinking time gives you the margin to make wise, Spirit-led decisions, not just quick ones.
- Fresh Vision
Ministry burnout often stems from tunnel vision. When you step back and reflect, new ideas and solutions emerge—often the ones you were too busy to see.
- Better Relationships
Reflecting on your team, volunteers, and conversations helps you grow in emotional intelligence—a key to leading people well.
- Personal Sustainability
Leaders who never pause end up running on fumes. A weekly thinking rhythm helps prevent burnout and keeps your heart aligned with your calling.
How to Build a Weekly Thinking Habit
- Pick a Time and Protect It.
Choose a regular day and time—Friday afternoon, Sunday evening, Monday morning—and treat it like an unmissable meeting.
- Eliminate Distractions.
No emails. No phone. Just you, your Bible, a notebook, a calendar, and some margin for uninterrupted thought.
- Use Prompts.
Try these weekly reflection questions:
- What went well this week?
- Where did I miss the mark?
- How can I better support my team or congregation?
- What’s God teaching me?
- What long-term planning do I need to do?
- Write It Down.
Keep a leadership journal. Capturing your insights helps clarify your thinking and creates a record of growth and guidance over time.
- Apply One Insight.
Each week, choose one action based on your reflection—whether it’s a shift in strategy or a conversation you need to have.
Final Thought
Ministry leadership isn’t just about working harder—it’s about thinking more deeply. Block time each week to reflect, listen, and lead from a place of wisdom. Your future self—and your team—will thank you.
