Each month for the next year, I'll be sharing 4 month-specific planning priorities you can incorporate into your schedule to help you escape the tyranny of the urgent and increase the joy and effectiveness of your ministry.
Here are 4 priorities for July:
- Select Christmas music for all your performing groups. Also, select the dates for all these performances. December activities fill up a calendar fast, so check for church conflicts or school holidays. Then announce these dates as soon as possible.
- Recruit new members for the Fall … singers, instrumentalists, dramatists, tech crew members, etc. Promote any “back to rehearsal” plans you may have. Ask for help in identifying those in your congregation with hidden talents or abilities.
- Start to develop a 3-month schedule of choir anthems, soloists or featured instrumental pieces for July – September. Do this quarterly and publish it to all involved.
- Deliberately plan, and follow through on, some “refresh” time for yourself. Read a book on worship, on choir ministry, or maybe on some totally unrelated topic. Attend a conference or workshop, many of which are now streamed “live” via the internet. Plan a day – or at least half a day – for a personal retreat where you can relax and renew your spirit in prayer and Bible study.
You've probably heard the old adage, “Proper planning promotes peak performance.” That's true, but even more important than merely planning is aligning our plans with God's purposes: Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)
