FOCUS: The Priority Filter — Know Your Assignment

Pastors don't usually struggle because there aren't enough things to do. We struggle because there are too many things to do—and many of them are good things.

In this episode, we begin a four-part conversation around four practical tools every pastor and ministry leader can use to lead with greater clarity and intentionality:

FOCUS → MEASURE → MULTIPLY → REVIEW

We start with FOCUS: The Priority Filter — Know Your Assignment.

Joined by a panel of church planters, we talk honestly about the challenge of knowing what God has called us to do, protecting that assignment, and learning when to say yes, no, delegate, or discontinue.

📖 Biblical Foundation

Acts 6:2–4
The apostles recognized that they could not personally carry every legitimate need within the growing church. Their response wasn't to ignore the need—it was to clarify their assignment and empower others to serve.

Everything important does not belong on every leader's plate.

We also explore:

• Nehemiah 6:3 — Staying focused on the work God has given you.
• Ephesians 5:15–16 — Walking wisely and making the most of our time.
• Mark 1:35–38 — Jesus remaining focused on His mission despite competing demands.

💬 In This Conversation

Knowing Your Assignment

How do we recognize what God has actually called us to carry? And how does our assignment change as the church and ministry grow?

The Distraction of Good Things

Most pastors aren't distracted by bad things. We're often distracted by good things.

We talk about the ministry opportunities, expectations, needs, events, and responsibilities that can slowly pull us away from our primary assignment.

Saying No & Delegating

How do we say no without becoming inaccessible or uncaring? What should we delegate? What should we discontinue? And what actually needs to remain on our plate?

Staying on the Wall

Nehemiah said:

“I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.” — Nehemiah 6:3

What does it look like for a pastor to stay focused when everyone has an opinion about what we should be doing?

🧰 The Priority Filter

Before saying YES, ask:

1. Is this part of my assignment?
2. Is this the right season?
3. Am I the right person to do this?
4. What will I have to say NO to if I say YES?

These four questions can help us move from simply being busy in ministry to being faithful to our assignment.

🎯 Your Challenge

Take a look at your calendar—not just this week, but the last 30 days.

Ask yourself:

• Where did my time go?
• What received my attention?
• What actually belongs to my assignment?
• What needs to be delegated?
• What needs to be discontinued?

You don't have to do everything. You don't have to chase every opportunity. You don't have to meet every expectation.

Know your assignment. Protect your assignment. Empower others to carry theirs.

That's faithful leadership.

Next Episode

MEASURE — The Ministry Dashboard

Once we know what God has called us to do, how do we know whether the ministry we're stewarding is actually healthy?

Follow Jesus. Cultivate People.

Explore Exodus and discover how God’s people are called to reflect His character—especially through His fierce care for the orphan, widow, and immigrant.

We’ll rethink Old Testament law, the true meaning of freedom, and the church’s mission in today’s world. And we’ll see the two paths to influence: worldly power or self-giving love.

Jesus chose the way of love, sacrifice, and service. What might that look like for us today?

⁠CGN Network Meetings⁠

⁠CGN Leadership Conference | June 27-30-2027 | San Diego, CA 

CGN Network Meetings

CGN Leadership Conference | June 27-30-2027 | San Diego, CA