Tyranny of the Urgent - Evangelism Entropy

From http://garyrohrmayer.typepad.com

The fifth cause for evangelistic entropy is what is known as the “tyranny of the urgent.” I discovered this concept in Stephen Covey’s classic book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. In it he refers to two factors that determine activity: urgency and importance.

Urgent items are describe as “…those that are requiring immediate attention. It’s ‘Now!’ Urgent things act on us...urgent matters are usually visible. They press on us. They insist on action. They’re often popular with others. They are usually right in front of us. And often they are pleasant, easy, and fun to do. But so often unimportant!”

Important items are describe as “…being focused on results. If something is important, it contributes to your mission, your values, and your high priority goals. Important matters that are not urgent require more initiative, more pro-actively.”

Let's consider the four quadrants of the Covey’s urgent/important matrix as it relates to all the activities that rob us and our churches of its evangelistic energy. Take a few minutes to categorize your daily and weekly activities in the following quadrants. Download Four Quadrants Worksheet.pdf

Here are some "what, who and when" questions to consider as you work through the urgent - important matrix:

What

1) What are the important activities that you cannot delegate?

2) What are the important activities that you can delegate?

3) What are the not important activities that you cannot delegate?

4) What are the not important activities that you can delegate?

Who

1) Who assists you in navigating the not important activities of your day?

2) Who can help you in completing the important/urgent activities of your day?

3) Who assists you in scheduling time for the important/non-urgent activities of your day?

4) Who can you trust with the important/urgent activities in your ministry?

When

1) When in your weekly schedule is there time for important/urgent activities?

2) When in your weekly schedule is there time for important/non-urgent activities?

3) When in your annual calendar is there time for reflecting and planning important/urgent activities?

4) When in your annual calendar is there time for reflecting and planning important/non-urgent activities?

Leadership is simply a well applied energy burst. If a leader is going to let his energy get depleted through not important and urgent activities that distracts every ministry, then there will not be any energy left to counteract the evangelistic entropy that attacks every church and robs them of their evangelistic effectiveness.