I have one of those gravel driveways that over time, especially in autumn and winter, begins to sprout weeds. There will come a point when we’ll need a whole new load of gravel, or worse still, to rip it all up and start over again. But for now, every gravel drive or path needs a steady weeding. Just when I’m out that way, I pull up the weeds I see, just giving 3 minutes to it every day or two.

If you don’t do that, sooner or later you have a driveway or path (or cracks in the concrete) full of dandelions.

Now weeding is not a high priority for me in life. It is not a high priority for my family life. It is not even of first importance in home maintenance. But if I don’t do it regularly it becomes a Big Job. Or you’re living in a jungle of weeds. And nobody wants that.

There are those things in life, right? And what’s true of home maintenance or personal care is also true of ministry leadership. Our churches and ministries need leaders who will help us manage the weeding so that it doesn’t get out of control.

Many of us who are in leadership don’t like this kind of stuff. We didn’t end up in full-time Christian leadership because we are good at this type of stuff. And perhaps we are even the type of (in general) guys who don’t notice or care much about actual weeds or ironed shirts or vacuumed floors… and this obliviousness flows over into the ministries we lead!

Some of the weeding that we need to oversee in church life

The list is endless really, isn’t it. The literal and metaphorical thorns and thistles we have to take spring up all over the place. A short and non-representative list:

  • Actual weeds and other cosmetic and simple repairs of your church facility — even if you are hiring a building you care how it looks and you maybe be the impetus for regular upkeep by the landlord.
  • Keeping databases and other admin up to date an culled of duplicates and out of date data.
  • Ensuring website, announcements and advertising material are all up to date.

You don’t need to do it yourself

It’s not your job. You shouldn’t have to do it. You should focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. Sure. But you need to ensure that it’s done. And notice that it’s done, so that you provide encouragement and accountability for the person who is overseeing such things.