Ten “10-Minute Refreshers” for Busy and Weary Church Leaders

Many church leaders I know are simply exhausted as we continue to navigate a COVID-influenced world. Most of us, though, have “10-minute” segments throughout the day when we have little planned, and I want us to use those segments wisely as we try to manage our crowded time well and find rest. If you don’t have those times, I encourage you to build at least two into your day—and use them to be renewed. Here are some things you might do to be refreshed in just a few minutes:

1. Take a quick walk. It’s just good to get away from the desk and walk for a few minutes—even if the walk is just down the hall or around the church campus. Somehow, walks help us clear our minds for a minute.

2. Listen to an online devotion or a portion of a sermon. Taking 10 minutes regularly to invite someone else to speak into our lives can be transforming. Some options include the Gospel Coalition’s “Word of the Week,” John Piper’s “Solid Joys,” and David Platt’s “Pray the Word.”

3. Read, re-read, and meditate on a psalm. They don’t take long to read, and they’re packed with emotion, challenge, and conviction. Some of my favorites to read are Psalms 1, 13, 42-43, 51, 67, 119 (divided over a few days), 148, and 150.

4. Listen to (and sing) one of your favorite hymns or praise choruses. I keep my phone handy so I can quickly pull up songs like “Amazing Grace,” “Are You Washed in the Blood?,” “Is He Worthy?,” and “O Come to the Altar” when I need them.

5. Write a thank-you note to someone. You might choose to send an email or a text instead, but handwritten notes still have power. Writing a “thank you” to someone evokes good memories and refreshes the heart.

6. Pray for other church leaders in your community. Most of us serve in communities with other church leaders for whom we pray too little. But, praying for others turns our attention outwardly and supports the work of the Great Commission where we live—all in 10 minutes.

7. Work on scripture memorization. For your own personal growth, use 10 minutes each day to memorize texts. You’ll be surprised how much you can do in 10 minutes—and, you’ll stand before your congregation with more godly confidence when you’ve put the Word in your heart.

8. Call a friend. I’m amazed by how little we use our phones for their original intent: to actually talk to somebody. We can do a lot of good ministry, though, by making a quick phone call to someone once a day. Encourage another brother or sister in Christ, and we’ll find ourselves encouraged in the process.

9. Make a “blessing list.” I know it sounds cliché, but it never hurts to pause and count our blessings. Even if you just think about them in your head (rather than write them down), they are, I trust, enough to fill 10 minutes of thanksgiving.

10. Walk your church’s worship center, and pray for those who will attend next Sunday. You probably know where many of them will sit. Pray for them – and then remember to pray for unexpected guests who attend.

 10 minutes—that’s all you need.

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