079: Accomplishing More by Doing Less
Description
The new year is a popular time for saying “yes.” “Yes” to more family time. “Yes” to exercise. “Yes” to getting plenty of rest. But what if this year, you could accomplish all these things and more because of a decision to say “no” instead?
Today on The Pod, Frank Bealer and EJ Swanson join us to talk about the practice of slowing down. As two ministry leaders fluent in large-church ministry and high-level responsibility, Frank and EJ are pros at being efficient with their time while still leaning into relationships. They share how we can all slow down and manage our days in a way that won’t drive us—or our families—to the breaking point.
Topic Timeline
Dave and Kacey talk New Year’s resolutions (2:47 )
Today’s episode brought to us by The Orange Conference (7:17 )
Frank Bealer addresses three lies leaders tell themselves about their calendars (8:53 )
Lie 1: This is just a busy season. (8:53 )
Lie 2: Next week will be better. (11:52 )
Lie 3: Everyone understands. (15:57 )
50 percent of people who get involved in vocational ministry quit within the first 5 years (21:32 )
Sarah Bragg and Holly Crawshaw interview EJ Swanson (22:09 )
How EJ knew it was time to slow down and focus on local church ministry (27:09 )
One of the benefits of slowing down is getting to know yourself better (29:06 )
Sometimes saying “yes” is taking opportunity, but in saying “no” you can give of yourself instead (31:49 )
Prioritizing engagements based on relationships (35:08 )
As leaders, sometimes we can feel like we’re better at ministry than at being parents or spouses (37:47 )
Practical advice for saying “no” (40:45 )
Our kids and families won’t always be there—slowing down ensures you get to be there for the important moments (43:29 )
Dave’s final thoughts (45:40 )
This new year, make a list of the things you’ll say “no” to (46:17 )
People, Places & Helpful Resources
The Orange Conference
Simple Church by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger
Featured Guests
E.J. SWANSON
E.J leads a team of NextGen Pastors and Directors across thirteen campuses at Woodside Bible Church in The Metro Detroit area. Passionate about people, E.J. oversees staff, volunteers, strategies, and leadership development for kids, students, and young adults at Woodside. He continues to speak to over 150,000 students and adults per year.
E.J. is the founder of IWontWatch.com and Spirituallifeweek.com and is involved in some of America’s, most innovative and fastest-growing ministries. He has shared the stage and toured with many artists including The David Crowder Band, Mercy Me, Hawk Nelson, Shawn McDonald, Matt Maher, Big Daddy Weave, and Building 429. E.J. lives in Troy, MI, with his lovely bride, Abbey, and daughter, Ruth.
Learn more about E.J. at https://nextgenministry.org/.
FRANK BEALER
Frank is the Executive Director of Leadership Development at Orange / The reThink Group and CEO of Phase Family Centers. Prior to Orange he was the Family Pastor at Elevation Church in Charlotte North Carolina where he oversaw family ministry at more than a dozen locations. He recently released his first book, “The Myth of Balance”. Frank is married to Jess and together they have four children.
Learn more about Frank at https://www.helpingleaderswin.com/.
Quotes from This Episode
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