Practical Questions for Pastors When Feeling Aimless
January 2, 2025

Preaching is a unique profession in many ways, especially when it comes to managing your schedule. It’s a curious blend of flexibility and rigidity. During the week, there’s often plenty of room to adjust and adapt. However, Sunday worship is non-negotiable—it’s a fixed anchor point in your week. Funerals, too, demand an immediate and unwavering commitment, making them challenging to reschedule.
Between those immovable commitments, there can sometimes be a sense of aimlessness. What do you do when your day doesn’t have a clear “what’s next”? Over the years, I’ve found these questions helpful in navigating those moments.
- Who needs a call from me today?
- Who can I spend time praying for?
- Who can I quickly go and visit?
- Who do I need to carve out time to go and visit?
- What do I need to spend time studying?
- What meetings are coming up in the next three weeks? How can I be prepared for them?
- Do I have a good grasp of the church calendar and what is upcoming this quarter? In the next 12 months?
- Who can I write a thank you note to today?
- Where do I feel stuck?
I hope you find this helpful.
What are some other questions you have for when you get stuck?
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About David Wesley Donnan
I write online about Methodism, devotional insights, and personal reflections. My primary goal is to organize my thoughts and explore meaningful topics. Along the way, I hope my writing inspires and encourages others on their journey.