Blueprint for Purpose

When you engage in active planning, you’re likely to be more successful. This is because you know what you want and how to get it. 

Many pastors we encounter admit they are not living their best life. Some have become overwhelmed with the rigors of ministry. Others say this is not what I expected. So whether you’re seeking to improve in your current assignment or seeking to move on to something else or something in between, you need a solid plan. And while pastors often can cast a vision for their church, most have no idea how to design a mission for themselves. That was never a skill they learned.

You may already have your life all planned out. Maybe you don’t. Either way, these tips will help you devise or tweak your Life Plan so you can move forward toward realizing the joy and fulfillment you deserve as the person God desires more than the pastor others expect.

Take some time to answer the following questions about what you most desire. Then, you may have a detailed Life Plan before the week is done if you knuckle down and give it serious contemplation and effort.

1. What are your dreams? Allow yourself some “dream” time to clarify to yourself what you really want. Be as over-the-top as you like. You don’t have to settle for your current situation. That’s not written anywhere. So articulate your dreams. And then write them down.
   • There’s no limit to the number of dreams or their size. Life provides opportunities to let go of specific goals and add new ones. Infuse your Life Plan with all your dreams and goals.
2. What’s important? Your Life Plan should reflect whatever you feel is crucial to you. Maybe you’ve always wanted to have more education or finish your DMin. Perhaps you’ve wanted to travel but haven’t the time or money to do it. If you grew up in a rented home, owning a home might be the most critical thing in your life. If it’s important to you, include it. Again, there’s no wrong answer.
3. What do you want to accomplish? What deeds do you want to achieve? Now’s the time to write down what you want to do with your life. Is working at a different church something you aspire to do? Do you want to “move up the ladder” or assume a different pastoral position? Fine. But none of it will happen without a plan. 
   • List what you want to attain in life’s personal, professional, and educational areas. 
4. What standard of living do you desire? Does that sound peculiar? Your answer will describe the life you want to lead. Do you want to live in a high-rise apartment in the city? Do you want to own a farm in the country? Maybe you prefer to live simply, pick up, and go wherever you want. Or perhaps you want a little more financial freedom to vacation more often to places you’ve never seen. It's ok for pastors to have financial dreams, too.
   • Perhaps you want to earn more money, live in a large house, drive an expensive car, or be a "preacher in sneakers" 😂. In essence, you seek the high life. That’s fine. No one ever said pastors have to take a vow of poverty. That’s a lie.
   • Thoroughly investigate what standard of living you want so you can include it in your Life Plan. Search your soul. There are no “wrong answers” when you’re developing your Life Plan.
5. Do you have fun? Maybe having fun means locking yourself in your study to write sermons all day. Or you might find training and running a triathlon to be the time of your life. Activities such as bowling, practicing yoga, and traveling to Europe also qualify—whatever brings you joy.
   • If you answer this question with a “no,” it’s time to get serious about your fun. You’ll require some time to reflect on activities you might enjoy. When was the last time you kicked up your heels? List activities that you love to do. What is life without some fun? If you keep the bow bent constantly, you’ll ruin it.
6. Are you spending time with friends and family? Generally, the happiest people make time for their family and friends. Sadly, we encounter pastors who constantly lack intimate friendships or fail to prioritize family time because they’re too busy doing ministry. You know this is true as well. But if this issue is important to you, include it in your plan. Please put it in writing.
7. What do you do for your community? Giving back to your community cultivates feelings of gratitude, satisfaction, and fulfillment in your own life. Donating money, time, or energy for the good of others enables these positive feelings to be an inherent result when you write them into your Life Plan. You might think, “But I do that every day in my ministry.” We understand. We’re suggesting that it’s essential to give back outside your congregation to the greater good of the community, too.
8. Are self-improvements high on your list? Striving to excel helps keep you moving toward your life goals. Include short-term achievements for many areas of your life. Let’s start with your self-care. This is the most neglected aspect of pastors’ lives we encounter. Everything comes ahead of health. But you are body, mind, and soul. Include all three in your self-improvement plan so you can enjoy the life you’ve been given. ◼︎