I am not the most financially savvy person in the world, however I do understand the importance of making wise investments. To invest means to “devote one’s time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.” Investing in the right person, vision, project, thing, etc. can result in great impact producing a “worthwhile result”.
1. Invest in yourself. You’ve heard this a million times if you pay attention to any sort of leadership gurus. You cannot give what you do not have. If you are not investing in yourself then how can you expect to invest in others? Investing in yourself can be something as simple as taking time out of your day for you to dream, pray, connect with mentors, etc. Investing in yourself can also include traveling across the country to go to that conference you’ve always wanted to attend or taking the spouse on a much needed vacation. Whatever you do, try to gauge your internal fuel tank and make sure you’re never running on empty.
2. Invest in your spouse. If you’re not married—take notes for when you do find that person. As a minister of any sort, it’s important that we are investing in our spouse and reaffirming to them that they are more valuable than ministry. They are more valuable than other people. This really shouldn’t even be a second thought. If it is, well, that’s another topic. Investing in your spouse is sticking to a schedule so there is clear expectation of when you’re home. It’s “when you’re home—you’re home.” It’s going on dates. Investing in your spouse is spending T.I.M.E. with her/him.
3. Invest in your kids. Chances are good that if you don’t have kids already, you will someday. I’ve made it one of my missions to make sure my kids love Jesus and never resent the church because of my ministry role. The only way I can do this is by spending time with them. Yes, there are busy seasons, but I try to include them as much as possible during those times—even if it’s doing their school work in my office just to be with them. I invest in my kids by going on daddy dates, making them my priority, encouraging and believing in their dreams and spending time. Have I mentioned spending time with them yet? Spending time trumps everything else. It’s cliché, but so true—time does indeed equal love.
4. Invest in your friends. There’s nothing more lonely than sitting at home on your day off by yourself; not because you enjoy the peace, but because you’ve invested so much time into ministry that you have no close friends to do life with. Make sure that you are taking time to invest in someone’s life outside of your “ministry job”. Who could you call up right now to do a barbeque or enjoy a grandé, iced-caramel macchiato with?
5. Invest in your senior/lead pastor. No, it doesn’t mean give him a Pentecostal handshake. It does mean you give his vision 110%. Investing in your lead pastor shows him/her that you want to be here and you believe in what God has called him/her and this church to accomplish.
Where and how do you invest?
PJ
