The application process for Mars Hill Church’s Lead Pastor Residency opened last week. This program is designed for experienced leaders who are ‘already ready already’ and are interested in leading a church at Mars Hill. If you're contemplating applying but wonder what the life of a lead pastor actually looks like, look no further. We were able to sit down with Pastor Donovan Medina, lead pastor of Mars Hill Church Albuquerque, to discuss what a week in the life of a Mars Hill lead pastor really entails.
The short list of titles that sum up his roles includes a student of the scriptures, a worship leader, a husband, a father of five kids, a friend, a counselor, a project manager, and a teacher, all in addition to pastor.
“It’s about management,” he said. “You have to manage your life or you will be chewed up and spit out by it. You need a rhythm.”
While the details of each week can be different, Pastor Donovan maintains a weekly rhythm to keep from getting lost in a sea of obligations.
Monday: review day
Mondays are slow days of reflection, recovery, and reporting. Pastor Donovan thinks through what worked on Sunday and what didn’t. He spends the morning replaying the “game tape” and often spends time in the Pastoral Epistles to remind himself of the heart and purpose of his role in leading the church.
“We are exhausted on Mondays,” he said. “We need to recover and refocus on the big picture to get ready to do it all over again.”
Tuesday: planning day
Tuesday is a 12-hour day of action, logistics, plans, and teaching. It begins with Pastor Donovan acting as a project manager, meeting with staff and volunteers. Together, they review upcoming events and plans. In the afternoon, the pastor takes on a teaching role as he prepares for an evening of teaching all the elder candidates and men who aspire to leadership.
“It will either be the most encouraging day in your week or it can be devastatingly discouraging. You walk a fine line between your desire to be faithful to the vision but the reality is that your flesh is rebellious and wants to challenge and doubt everything.”
Wednesday: getting personal
“On Wednesdays I deal with myself, my heart,” said Donovan. “I need time to sit down alone, unplugged, to deal with the emotions and any tension I am feeling.”
Wednesdays are heart check days for Pastor Donovan’s staff and volunteers as he meets ministry leaders to see how they’re doing. He uses this time to make sure that each one stays tied into the big picture of Mars Hill.
Thursday: getting out
Thursdays are about getting out of the office, meeting people, and going somewhere. Pastor Donovan has sometimes used this day to travel to other cities in New Mexico to study culture and engage people.
“I spend time with people, my friends both Christian and non-Christian. We have a beer and enjoy the community God has provided for us. I then get to go home to my wife and my kids and enjoy them.
Friday: looking forward
“One day I am going to die,” said Donovan. “What will I leave behind for my wife, the kids, and the church?”
Fridays are planning and vision-casting days.
“I start thinking long-term, planning for the future, praying about what that all looks like down the road. I can get uneasy with all the unknown. But then again, uneasiness motivates the will.”
Like clockwork, every Friday night Donovan takes his bride on a date. They connect and create a plan to build a God-glorifying legacy with their children. This leads into his day off.
Saturday: And then he rested
“I cook for my family, go to soccer games, go for walks, stay home, and play indoor soccer at night with my son.”
This day off gives Pastor Donovan the rest he needs for game day.
“The planning is done. Rehearsal is done. Everyone knows what is supposed to happen. So it just plays out.”
Sunday: game day
There is a lot to execute on a Sunday. There’s band practice, pastoral meetings, production meetings, volunteer meetings, leadership meetings, and counseling meetings all woven among leading three worship services.
At the end of the day, everything has played out and the week is done. Pastor Donovan finishes the day physically exhausted, but with a full heart. It’s time to take a deep breath, get some sleep, and start the rhythm all over again.
Applications are being accepted for the Lead Pastor Residency through May 1st. If God is calling you to be a lead pastor at Mars Hill, apply today.
