Word Count: 382 – Est Read Time: <3 Minutes
What’s Up Pastor, your job isn’t to be the church’s go-to errand runner, problem fixer, and last-resort substitute for every role that needs filling. It’s time to just say no!
So What If you keep saying yes to every request that lands on your desk, you’ll end up burned out, ineffective, and, ironically, the bottleneck preventing your church from thriving. Saying no isn’t selfish; it’s essential.
The Point Is
1. Every Yes is a No to Something Else
When you agree to teach that extra Sunday school class, you’re saying no to valuable time spent networking with the unchurched in your community. When you agree to lock up the building after worship, you’re saying no to an opportunity to connect with new visitors before they leave. Every commitment has a cost.
2. Your Job is to Equip, Not to Do It All
Ephesians 4:11–13 is clear: the role of church staff is to equip the saints for ministry, not to do the ministry. If you’re constantly taking tasks off other people’s plates, you’re robbing them of their opportunity to serve and grow.
3. Pastor Fetch is a Disease—And You’re the Cure
The moment you say yes to tasks that need doing, you fall victim to the Pastor Fetch game. People will come to you because you’ve trained them to. The only way to break the cycle is to start saying no – without guilt, without apology, and without explanation.
4. No is a Complete Sentence
Carol Burnett had it right: ‘No’ is a complete sentence. You don’t owe a justification for protecting your time and your mission-critical priorities. A simple, firm, “No,” is enough.
And … ?
Here’s the hard truth: many (most) churches are declining because their pastors are so busy maintaining the machine that they can’t lead in the mission. Pastors who spend their time handling logistics instead of networking with the unchurched are churches that stall out.
Action!
It’s time to break the habit. Start small. Decline one request this week that isn’t part of your core mission. Redirect that time into something that grows the church, whether it’s outreach, discipleship, or leadership development. The more you say no to the distractions, the more you can say yes to the work that actually matters.
