Monday often is the most dreaded day of the week, but it is the day my wheels are spinning the most. Rural America has a lot shut down on Monday, haircuts, some restaurants, and ATV shops (interesting). Monday in Slavic tongues generally means “day after Sunday.” Phrase Monday morning quarterback is attested from 1932, Monday being the first day back at work after the weekend, when school and college football games were played. Black Monday (1359) is the Monday after Easter day, though how it got its reputation for bad luck is a mystery. Saint Monday (1753) was “used with reference to the practice among workmen of being idle Monday, as a consequence of drunkenness on the Sunday” before [OED]. Clergymen, meanwhile, when indisposed complained of feeling Mondayish (1804) in ref. to effects of Sunday’s labors.
Here is my typical Monday:
12:01 am – Up evaluating the weekend and kicking myself for all the stuff I could have done or said better.
12:02 am – Texting and emailing staff things we have to change immediately (praying their phone is on silent).
12:06 am – Wondering why so and so were not there again.
12:11 am – Cindy slaps me and says go to bed you possessed wild man (I reluctantly obey).
6:00 am – Finishing my personal worship and make Cindy a cup of coffee.
6:10 am – Catch up on correspondence and social networking.
6:30 am – Wake up kids and pretend like I used to love Monday mornings at school.
7:30 am – Head to the gym for some much needed sweat and stress reduction.
9:00 am – Head to office and go over staff meeting agenda
9:45 am – Creative Arts Pastor comes in, drinks his Mtn. Dew and leaves it on my desk.
10:00 am – Staff meeting involving Evaluation and Leadership Thoughts. (today Bottle Rocket Leadership vs. Volcanic Eruption)
11:00 am – Creative Team meets and finalizes weekend experience for all campuses.
12:00 pm – Lunch with a few staff.
1:30 pm – Sermon Prep and individual staff connection.
4:00 pm – Typically one counseling appointment.
5:30 pm – Family Night and the Party is on…(especially when the kids go to bed!!!)
What your staff needs on a Monday:
VISION, EVALUATION, MORE VISION, MORE EVALUATION, CLEAR EXPECTATION, CLEARER EXPECTATION.
I love Mondays and I can’t wait to hit the ground running. Share with me why you think Monday’s are a better day to take off. Let me know what you think I need to change or add to my Monday.
Shannon
Erica says,
I don’t know what you need to change, I can barely keep my own stuff together! ha ha but I do love reading your blogs. Such a simple way to get to know people better. I know I’ve said it before, but you and Cindy have taught me so many great things about who God is and just life in general! By the way, when people aren’t there, even though it feels that way, it doesn’t always reflect you. Most of time, its just our bad decisions and self reliance.
on 16 February 2009 / 4:56 PM
Jessica says,
I love that you admit that your Monday began with “Sunday night”. hehe…that happens so often over here as well! I think Monday’s are a great jump off day because things are typically neglected during the weekend so I can enjoy my husband’s time off…like laundry. Also, it is a set day that is easy to remember to do weekly chores like changing sheets & cleaning bathrooms. I actually like Monday’s because it is the day I get back into my routine where I can actually accomplish something because kids are in school. =) I think your Monday seems pretty full…not sure I’d add anything to it.
on 16 February 2009 / 5:07 PM
Willy Maxwell says,
Mondays are “pastors day off” at Harvest and I have to say I don’t like it. I spend most of the day thinking about what happened over the weekend and what we can do to be better next week.
I would much prefer to take Fridays off. What day do you take off?
on 16 February 2009 / 5:07 PM
Shannon O'Dell says,
Friday is my Sabbath!! I agree with you 100%.
on 16 February 2009 / 5:56 PM
Anthony says,
Shannon, watch what you say. Friday is your sabbath. Now you of all people that friday is not the sabbath, if so, what is sunday.
on 05 March 2009 / 4:13 PM
Shannon O'Dell says,
Saturday is the Sabbath and used to be mine, but now we have service on that day. We are set free from the law, yet I still observe a day of rest.
on 05 March 2009 / 6:52 PM
Anthony says,
You say set free from the law, true we are not under the law now, we are under grace. Jesus tells us in the New Testament that we are not under the law now but grace. If we are to make up our own Sabbath now, then why are the apostles still keep the the Sabbath and not make up any Sabbath that they wanted. Can you show me in God’s Word where it tells us that we can make the Sabbath any day we want?
Also you still have not answered me on why you talk about numbers so much. Please E-Mail me if you do not want to post it on here.
on 06 March 2009 / 5:42 PM
Shannon O'Dell says,
I talk about numbers because every person is a number…we are in the number business. The only people not concerned about numbers are the ones who don’t care about the thousands that are dying each day without Jesus.
Oh Yeah, and God wrote a book called Numbers…
Love your comments….
on 06 March 2009 / 8:02 PM
Anthony says,
The book of Numbers is not talking about the way you are using numbers, I guess you think that was a cute comeback on that question.
on 06 March 2009 / 10:22 PM
Lisa says,
Well since you asked… I think you need a bit more sleep! Up past midnight and awake before 6 a.m., in my opinion, is not enough rest.
As for me, Mondays I usually try to run errands and take care of business – banking, pay bills, that sort of stuff. Mine is not what the world would call the glamorous life, but it is what I have been given and I am at a point where I am thankful for it.
on 16 February 2009 / 5:36 PM
David Jackson says,
Thanks for your transparency. I have never been a part of a staff like this one. Thank you for your tenacity, restlessness and focus. What a breath of fresh vision!
on 16 February 2009 / 9:05 PM
Heather Berry says,
I would say nothing needs to change!! You really should go to sleep a little earlier!!lol But I think Monday’s are ok. I fell great coming off the wonderful weekend experience at BNC! After listening to a kick your butt message from you!
on 16 February 2009 / 9:36 PM
Fredi mendez says,
I believe that you are weirdo!!!for being up so late at night, but I am so glad that God has put you on my path you are the second person in my life that I see with a passion when they speak of God, I am really exited to get to know you better and to work together in bringing the word of our migrhy God to the hispanic community. For years I’ve prayed to God that we can reach Hispanics my prayer has been answer. Anyway talk to you son mo amigo
on 17 February 2009 / 11:12 PM
Carrie Martin says,
Mondays are the best for me because I don’t begin them on Sunday night. I have been blessed with the gift of Calm. Yes, as a mother who just visited my son, daughter in Christ (his wife), and two grand daughters who are in Jasper, Ar. now and attending BNC (I visited and felt the Spirit all over the place), I can be concerned because they are 530 miles from me. But, they are in the hands of my Lord and that is what Mondays are also. If my Savior can make the days then He can rule the days. I begin Monday with a fresh cup of coffee, the Word, and a song in my heart for an opportunity to come to God in prayer, devotion, and listening as He leads me thru another work week. Sundays are even better because in my world that is the beginning of the week and the day I start over on my quest to learn, witness, and grow in Christ.
Shannon, get more rest in bed and in Jesus. You are doing great from what I witnessed on the first Sunday of Porn Again. If you can shine on that topic then you are doing the right stuff.
Prayers for you and the satff and families always from Groesbeck, Texas.
on 27 February 2009 / 11:27 AM
Laurie says,
add chineese food…subtract folly…multiply Lord’s army and divide thousands dying without Jesus….
on 09 March 2009 / 9:09 PM