Thursday, April 27

As a missionary how much of my time will I invest this week in...

A. Prayer, seeking God?

B. Family relationships and activities?

C. Survival needs? (What it takes just to live here!)

D. Meetings?

E. Ministries that have little bearing upon why we are here?

F. Support activities to generate prayer and missions awareness?

G. Mobilization and Recruitment?

H. Communication of Vision?

I. Administration?

J. Activities to build relationships and goodwill?

K. Personal Evangelism?

L. Planning and implementing strategies which accomplish the main thing?

M. Relaxation and rest?

N. Discipling/mentoring members of my people group?
--original source unknown


We all have 24 hours everyday to do everything we have to do. The difference between those who get more done is recognizing where their time goes. All of us periodically need to make readjustments to what we do with our time. I know where I need to make some adjustments, how about you?

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
--Ephesians 5:15-16

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

thanks for this reminder! we feel like our time gets away from us each week. we need to check this out.....

Ross Garner said...

Does Blogging count as relaxation and rest or communication of vision or what? I am asking myself the question "What does a day off look like in the Kingdom of God?"

God bless
Ross

J. Guy Muse said...

Ross,

For me, blogging would fall somewhere between the "f" and "j" categories. However, reading others blogs would be more under the "rest/relaxation" category.

Jeff Richard Young said...

TO: IMB Missionary Guy Muse
FROM: IMB Administration
RE: Use of time

Since you obviously need some help with use of your time, I put together this little guide, by polling stateside ministers, church members, IMB RLs, and IMB trustees. This list reflects only their realistic expectations, nothing extraordinary. When you have read this statement, you are required to sign it, indicating you fully accept it.

A. Prayer, seeking God?

2 hours-1 in the morning at 4:00 a.m., and 1 at 11:00 p.m. before bed

B. Family relationships and activities?

4 hours-1 in the morning 6:00-7:00 a.m., 3 in the evening 6:00-9:00 p.m.

C. Survival needs? (What it takes just to live here!)

None-you have a wife and hired servants to take care of these

D. Meetings?

2 hours on average

E. Ministries that have little bearing upon why we are here?

2 hours, as long as they are not cooperative with any other church group

F. Support activities to generate prayer and missions awareness?

None-the WMU is handling this for you

G. Mobilization and Recruitment?

2 hours

H. Communication of Vision?

1 hour

I. Administration?

1 hour

J. Activities to build relationships and goodwill?

None-you are there for church planting, not for relationships or goodwill

K. Personal Evangelism?

8 hours-this is your main job there

L. Planning and implementing strategies which accomplish the main thing?

1 hour

M. Relaxation and rest?

11 hours-8 for sleep, 3 for mealtimes

N. Discipling/mentoring members of my people group?

1 hour

O. Exercise

1 hour of jogging from 5:00-6:00 a.m.

P. Professional Development/Continuing Education

1 hour


Please sign here _________________


Sincerely,

IMB Administration

P.S. Oh yeah, you are being terminated because some missionary from another group that hasn't signed the BFM2000 posted on your blog while wearing a priest's collar and lime green shirt. Pack your stuff and catch the next plane to Richmond.

J. Guy Muse said...

Dear Administrator of our time:

You have us scheduled for a 37-hour day! :0)

On "C" you have us down for "none", but in actuality this is the biggest time consumer of them all!