Creating Margin in Ministry: Jesus’ Example and Practical Tips

³⁰ The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. ³¹ And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. ³² And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

Mk. 6:30-32

In Mark 6:1-32, we learn that Jesus was busy! He was rejected: Despite performing miracles, Jesus is rejected by his fellow townspeople, who are surprised by His wisdom and power. He appoints the Apostles: Jesus appointed twelve apostles to accompany Him and spread His message. He provided instructions for ministry: Jesus gives His apostles instructions for their ministry, including warning them about the dangers they will face. Jesus healed people and exorcised demons: Jesus continued His ministry of healing the sick and casting out demons. He ministered to and fed the five thousand: Jesus performed a miracle by feeding a crowd of 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish.

Jesus taught the twelve, extended His teaching to the crowds, corrected the religious leaders, had the crowds pressing in everywhere He went, and more! And yet He still modeled rest.

“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”

Mark 6: 31

Jesus modeled for His disciples the necessity of getting away and resting for a while. As disciples of His, we too should take regular days off. We should use our vacation/PTO time. We should create margin throughout our day. As I write this post, I’m specifically thinking about creating margin throughout the day.

I have found that the biggest key toward intentionally creating margin includes these three components: 1). Remembering my own limitations 2). Respecting myself and others 3). Setting appropriate boundaries.

Create Margin by Remembering My Own Limitations

We are all limited and each of us in different ways. Some limits may include time, health, family care, or physical ability. I’ve had to learn that I’m limited to the number of meetings I can say yes to throughout the week (and the weekend). There are only so many projects I can take on at any given moment. There are only so many stressful conversations I can have in a day. Understanding my limitations helps me know how to build margin into my day/week/month so I can keep leading healthily.

• Be sensitive to your spiritual, emotional, and physical health. At times you may be focusing a little more on one or two and need to take some extra time throughout the day to care for yourself.
• You might have small children at home or be caring for a family member. These are limitations to work or ministry but take precedence.
• Seasonal limitations: Summer, holiday, and allergy/asthma seasons all present limitations to what I can and cannot do. I’m working to better understand each of these to be able to create the appropriate amount of margin in each unique seasonal situation.

Create Margin by Respecting Myself and Others

I’m rereading John Mark Comer’s Ruthless Elimination of Hurry with the staff at our church. Comer is reminding me that creating margin shows that I respect both myself and others. I don’t fill my day with one meeting after another. This leaves me tired, unable to complete tasks to the best of my ability, and no time within the workday to think critically. I respect others by having margin as well. I’m better able to show up on time. I can respond to messages in a timely manner. I remember that they are likely trying to do the same thing as me. They do the best they can, with the gifts they have, within the allotted hours in their workday. I’m learning to respect myself by:

• Using a calendaring service (Calendly). This has been amazing! No more going back and forth by text to establish a meeting time, date, and place. I have options for coffee, different meals at varying locations, and times to meet me in my office. The service sees what is open on my calendar (which I set the rules to), reminds those making the appointment, and gives me the ability to create margins/buffers before and after each meeting so I’m not rushing off to another one if I am unable.
• Remembering that I am a special creation of God who needs to spend time with the Father throughout the day.
• Becoming more Unoffendable when others don’t share my values and use invasive, intrusive, or guilt-laden tactics to rob from the margin I’m creating.

Create Margin by Setting Appropriate Boundaries

Henry Cloud wrote a book called Boundaries that was updated in 2017. Boundaries was not groundbreaking information, but it provided words and tools toward creating healthy boundaries in my life; particularly my ministry life. I’m learning to do this by:

• Creating boundaries around my day off. I generally tell people, “that day is unavailable. How about these other two options?”
• Creating soft boundaries around the weekend. I only leave one slot open to outside dinners/lunches on Friday-Sunday (with Christy’s agreement) and usually say no to coffee meetings on those days. On the rare occasion I schedule a work lunch or dinner on the weekend, Christy and I will redeem that time with a weekday breakfast together, or an extended neighborhood walk during the week.
• Learning how many meetings a day/week is healthy for me and sticking to that. I’ve learned to use my calendar to help me say no. As soon as I’ve hit my early morning meeting limit (or any other), Calendly does not allow anymore and I usually block off the time visually so I am not tempted to say ‘yes’ when I need to say ‘no.’

Conclusion:

By acknowledging our limitations and intentionally creating margin in our lives, we not only respect ourselves but also foster healthier relationships with others. Through practices like careful calendaring, prioritizing self-care, and setting appropriate boundaries, we can cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling existence. Remember, it’s not about being perfect, but rather about making conscious choices that honor the Lord and our well-being, and contribute to a healthier life.