Author: Will Cofield

Tactical Patience in Ministry: Lessons from an Organ and a Saint 

For years, the music ministry of our church was led by Mrs. Frances Jones—a woman of grace, faith, and dedication. She taught children to play piano, tirelessly served the church, and played the organ through the church’s golden years. With the gospel in mind, she had given up the role of music ministry director in the 1980s. She became the music minister’s assistant to hand the leadership baton off to the next generation. Music ministers came and went, but Mrs. Frances was the heart behind the music ministry. Even when the instruments were worn, and the sound system crackled, Mrs. Frances made it work without complaining or growing frustrated.

Eventually, one of her pupils rallied the church to honor her with a new organ, sound system, and a baby grand piano. It was a beautiful testimony to her legacy and her love for the Lord. By the time I arrived in 2008, Mrs. Frances’ age had caught up with her. She could not attend church, let alone play the organ like she once had. She passed away in 2012, and the organ she had cherished sat silent—unused for nearly a decade.

As space became tight, conversations arose about removing the organ. Some saw it as an obstacle to modernizing worship; others saw it as sacred, tied to memories of a beloved saint. I knew removing it prematurely would fracture trust in an already fragile congregation. There were so many things that needed to change at the church. We needed better theology, improved small groups, and an intentional discipleship plan. The sanctuary—and all the facilities—needed renovations, and we desperately needed to learn to love our community again. We needed to repent of serving our personal preferences, years of division, and an aversion to sharing the gospel. Yes, we needed the space on the stage, but removing the organ would have been the death blow to any efforts at rebuilding unity between the generations that had been so divided. Wisdom prevailed, and we learned to work around it for the sake of unity.

You can imagine my frustration when an evangelist—unfamiliar with our church’s story—boldly criticized the organ as an idol and declared we should get rid of it. What he didn’t understand was that it wasn’t that the organ was an idol, as it was the organ that reminded the seniors of a blessed saint who they loved dearly. The next day, seniors of the church were calling, wanting to come and talk to me about why we shouldn’t get rid of the organ. I assured them I wasn’t interested in dying on that hill, and the evangelist had spoken out of turn. He would not be back.

With time, God provided a solution. The family who had donated most of the funds for the organ years earlier kindly requested it back, offering to put it to good use while honoring Mrs. Frances’ memory. The church gladly agreed. It was a quiet resolution that preserved unity and allowed us to focus on what truly mattered: returning to vitality as a congregation and engaging our community with the gospel.

The Lesson of Tactical Patience

In Episode 249 of the Replant Bootcamp Podcast, Tim Williams shares a key insight for ministry leaders: “Don’t microwave the brisket.” True change in a church takes time, wisdom, and what Tim calls tactical patience. Revitalization pastors face many “organs” in their ministry—issues that require thoughtful navigation. Leaders must ask:

1. Are the changes we’re making truly needed, or are they preferential?
   It’s easy to tackle surface-level issues to feel productive, but real transformation comes from addressing the heart of the church—its theology, community, and discipleship.
2. Are we giving the church time to embrace change?
   Leading change requires relational equity. Moving too quickly risks losing influence and alienating the very people we’re trying to serve.
3. Are we slowing down, listening, and trusting God’s timing?
   Pride rushes ahead, but humility allows leaders to pause, reflect, and strategize. Growth happens in the waiting—when leaders preach, pray, love, and stay.

A valuable resource for better understanding tactical patience in ministry is “Who Stole My Church?” by Gordon MacDonald. In this book, MacDonald addresses the struggles of a fictional group of older church members who feel displaced by changes in church culture and practices. Through their journey, he provides insights into embracing change, fostering intergenerational understanding, and rediscovering the church’s mission to adapt while remaining true to its purpose.

Another excellent resource is “Who Moved My Pulpit?” by Thom Rainer. In this book, Rainer explores the challenges that church leaders face when leading revitalization efforts amid resistance to change. He highlights the importance of pastoral leadership, the courage to confront adversity, and the necessity for churches to adapt in order to effectively fulfill their mission in a changing culture.

A Final Encouragement

In Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica, he says, “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV) Paul understood that shepherding must be done with patience. He didn’t want the church torn apart by impulsive decisions not pertinent to the gospel’s advancement. We should heed his wisdom and be wise when leading change.

Revitalizing a church isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about faithful shepherding rooted in patience, humility, and God’s providence. As leaders, we must learn to discern when to wait, when to act, and how to shepherd our congregations through change with care and intentionality.

Space might have been limited because of the organ, but its removal was not necessary for the church to minister to the community. The organ wasn’t keeping the church from loving one another, their community, or Jesus. The organ serves me today as a reminder that unity matters far more than preferences.

If you’re navigating change in your church, remember: “Don’t microwave the brisket.” Focus on the gospel, shepherd all your people, and, most importantly, trust God.

For more insights on tactical patience, listen to Episode 249 of the Replant Bootcamp Podcast.

I wasn’t managing my time well. What’s worse is that it was beginning to show. It was early in my ministry, and I had a tiger by the tail. I was still leading the youth ministry, teaching a senior adult Sunday School class, leading a Wednesday morning prayer meeting, preaching on Sunday nights, and preparing sermons for Sunday mornings. On top of all that, I was working hard to finish my undergraduate degree while trying to be a present husband and father. The problem wasn’t that I enjoyed being overworked, stressed, and stretched thin. It was that the church was struggling, and I felt an overwhelming responsibility to keep everything together.

I believed I had to maintain a healthy relationship with the next generation, build a connection with senior adults, and keep every ministry “plate” spinning. So, when a newly elected deacon approached me, asking for discipleship, I felt my heart sink. How could I possibly add one more thing to my already overstuffed schedule?

Missed Opportunities and Lessons Learned

Our church had a discipleship problem, and I knew it. The deacon’s request was a perfect opportunity to begin changing the culture. Yet, my poor time management and lack of strategic planning prevented me from taking full advantage of it. What I should have done was reassess my priorities prayerfully, refocus on my calling, and make tough decisions. I needed to let go of some responsibilities, delegate more effectively, and mentor others to create a pathway for multiplication in ministry.

But I didn’t. Instead, I foolishly tried to squeeze relational discipleship into an already packed schedule. The result? I failed. My spinning plates came crashing down. My sermons suffered, the youth ministry dwindled, and the newly elected deacon became frustrated and eventually left the church. 

It was a painful lesson that taught me an important truth: I couldn’t do everything I felt needed to be done. I was failing as a pastor, but it was in that season of failure I began to learn the importance of managing time wisely.

The Struggle of Time Management in Ministry

Back then, I thought I was the only pastor struggling with time management. However, as I’ve interacted with more pastors—especially those involved in church revitalization—I’ve realized that I wasn’t alone. Many pastors are enthusiastic about the work, deeply passionate about the future of their churches, but quietly overwhelmed by the demands on their time.

When I ask about their discipleship efforts, I often see hesitation. They know discipleship is important, but their plates are already full. Many of them work seven days a week, just trying to keep up. The struggle is real, and it’s common. The pressure to balance pastoral duties, family, and personal well-being often leaves pastors feeling trapped, discouraged, and exhausted.

Redeeming Time: Lessons from Jesus

In episode 246 of our podcast, JimBo Stewart and Jordan Raynor dive into this very topic. Raynor, the author of Redeeming Your Time: 7 Biblical Principles for Being Purposeful, Present, and Wildly Productive, offers a perspective that resonates deeply with those of us in ministry. Unlike the many secular time management books out there, Raynor’s work is distinct in that it draws from the life of Jesus.

As Raynor says, “Jesus was the most productive person to ever walk the earth.” Yet, Jesus never appeared hurried or stressed, not even when he was interrupted. He lived with purpose and perfect balance, accomplishing the most significant mission in human history within a relatively short ministry span of three years. His example offers timeless principles for pastors seeking to manage their time effectively and live purposefully.

Raynor’s book isn’t just about being efficient—it’s about aligning our priorities with God’s eternal plan. From a worldly perspective, Jesus may not have appeared productive at the time of his death. Yet, 2,000 years later, over a third of the world follows his teachings. His impact is a reminder that our idea of productivity must be shaped by an eternal perspective.

Discernment: The Key to Effective Time Management

One of the most significant takeaways from Raynor’s book is that we need to discern God’s priorities for our lives and ministries. As pastors, we often fill our schedules with tasks and obligations that seem important but don’t necessarily have eternal value. Many of these commitments come from a good place but are made hastily, without considering the long-term impact.

When we spread ourselves too thin, we end up breaking promises, hurting our integrity, and feeling overwhelmed. The pressure and anxiety build, leaving us vulnerable to burnout, conflict, and, ultimately, ministry failure.

So, how do we avoid this trap? It starts with prayerfully asking ourselves:

• What are God’s priorities for me as a follower of Christ and a minister of the gospel?
• Which tasks am I doing out of obligation to please people rather than a sense of calling and biblical priorities?
• Where can I delegate, empower others, or let go of responsibilities in order to better advance God’s kingdom?
• Is my ministry overflowing from my love and awe for Jesus or is it diminishing it?

This kind of reflection takes time, but it’s essential for long-term ministry success.

Moving Forward with Purpose

In hindsight, I wish I had embraced these principles earlier. I could have better discipled that deacon, empowered the youth leaders to take more initiative, and prioritized my time with my family. I now see that managing time isn’t about cramming more tasks into the day—it’s about discerning what is eternally important and prioritizing the right tasks.

If you find yourself in a similar situation—overworked, stretched thin, and feeling like you’re just trying to keep your head above water—take heart. You’re not alone. And more importantly, there is hope. The key is not to do more but to do what matters most. And what matters most is often less than we think.

By following Jesus’ example and discerning God’s priorities for your life and ministry, you can redeem your time. Not just for the sake of productivity but for the sake of eternity.