Humans are creatures of habit. Have you ever wondered why? 

Think about your morning routine. Most of us repeat the same steps each day without much thought. Here’s mine: 

• 5:55 a.m. – Wake up and pour a cup of Sumatra, straight up, ground from whole beans (the timer’s set the night before). 

• Shower, then shave while listening to a favorite podcast and sipping coffee. 

• 6:45 a.m. – Walk Toby, our cockapoo puppy. 

• 7:00–7:45 a.m. – Devotional, Bible reading plan, and prayer. 

• 7:45 a.m. – Breakfast and packing lunch with Melanie. 

• 8:45 a.m. – Leave for the church office. 

• 9:00 a.m. – Spot-check email. 

• 9:15 a.m. – Monday prayer time in the sanctuary. 

The rest of the day flows from there. My Sunday rhythm starts earlier, with a “game-day” mindset—focused on the sermon text, pastoral care updates, and the order of worship. 

Why are routines like this important? 

One reason is that our brains are designed to manage and conserve energy. When we reduce the number of decisions we make, we preserve energy for the things that matter most. In The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg explains: 

“When a habit emerges, the brain stops fully participating in decision making. It diverts focus to other tasks. So unless you deliberately fight a habit… the pattern will unfold automatically.” (p. 20) 

Intentional routines help us pre-decide how we’ll spend our time and focus—so we’re not led by default but by design. 

This is especially important in ministry, where every day can bring new, unexpected challenges. I might be working on a sermon one moment and sitting beside a church member in ICU the next. Emotional, spiritual, and physical energy must be stewarded wisely. 

Dr. Maurice Graham, founder of Shepherd’s Staff Ministries, writes: 

“I am unaware of any other occupation where the emotional, spiritual, physical, and psychological stress is as real as it is in ministry…” 
(Pastoral Intelligence, pp. 10–11) 

This spring, I began organizing both my ministry and personal calendars using Carey Nieuwhof’s model in At Your Best. He encourages us to align our most energetic hours with our most important tasks. A quote from the book has stayed with me: 

With help from Teresa Chiever, our Church Office Manager, I now schedule my week around this principle. From sermon prep and meetings to family time and rest, I know what’s coming—and that helps me be more present to others and more effective in what matters most (see 2 Peter 1:5–8). 

One tangible result: I now spend more focused time on sermon preparation on Mondays. Teresa manages my appointments and lets me know the details. This structure allows for flexibility, but it also creates healthy margin—space for rest, reflection, and responding to God’s voice and people’s needs. 

Scripture speaks to this idea of margin as well: 

“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.”— Ecclesiastes 4:6 

At the end of the day, ministry is about people. We’re in the people business. And margin helps us show up—not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—for those God has called us to serve. 

So, if you’d like to talk theology, share a concern, or meet over coffee, I’d love to connect! Just reach out to Teresa in the church office and she’ll help us get it on the calendar. 

If you’re interested in talking more about personal stewardship and time management, I’d be glad to share the resources that have helped me. 

Blessings,