What Do You Do During the Day?

From time to time I'm asked the question, "How do you spend your time?" or "What do you do during the day?"

I've tried to give a partial answer to this question by using different job titles: "Spiritual Entrepreneur," "Soul Barista," and "New Church Pastor."

A spiritual answer--and a correct one--points out that my work really means nothing compared to what God the Holy Spirit is doing.

Sometimes, I joke about it, laugh, and say, "I have no idea."

Seriously, day in and day out I find myself doing one or more of the following...

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• prayer for the lost & prayer for the new church ministry


• reading Scripture & journaling about things on my mind and the progress of the church


• configuring the church's budget, ascertaining funding levels


• making contacts and phone calls to potential sponsor churches, individuals, and organizations


• meeting public officials and other community leaders


• spending time with Christians on our launch team who want to know more about what's happening


• planning and outlining sermons, writing them


• updating the primary communications portals of the church ministry (websites, Facebook, Twitter)


• hanging out in public spaces like college campuses, coffee shops, and restaurants, and talking with people about Jesus and church


• reading cultural commentaries (local and regional news, local and regional authors, best sellers in areas of my interest)


• making plans for different events of the new church community (our next service is April 11)


• ordering supplies, desigining, and printing out materials for the church, including writing brochures, articles, and essays that help explain what we're doing to outsiders


• preparing for presentations, devotions, and talks about the church in different venues


• writing articles, essays, and books that will help me communicate with non-Christians and others who are interested in hearing about the Gospel


• finding places where people are and spending time there: basketball courts at the local park (i'm terrible at basketball), snowy driveways (this past winter), school events for the kids, and community celebrations and gatherings.


• leading meetings of people who are involved and engaged in this work

 I don't know if that seems like a lot to others, but to me, it seems like only a little.

Plus, I haven't even mentioned stuff like going on dates with my wife, with my kids, and maintaining my own spiritual and physical health--my Bible reading and journaling sometimes are more work-focused than self-and soul-focused.

It was funny: last night, my wife and eldest daughter left to watch a play at the local high school--anyone see Les Mis?

On her way out the door, she challenged me: "Phil, don't do any work tonight. You didn't take a day off this week yet, and last night you worked till ten pm."

I took her advice, and realize that usefulness in a big job that has no real limits to "what needs to be done" requires setting goals, and boundaries, and keeping them.

Because this is difficult for me, at times, I'm overcome with the humbling realization that This church project is the work of God.

"Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."