While I was in seminary I had the opportunity to share a meal with Bishop Cornelius Henderson. During that meal a student asked him about how to be effective as a new pastor.
He responded, “3 calls a day, 3 cards a day and 3 phone calls a day.” 3 calls to members to let them know that you are praying for them. Three cards to let people know that you are sharing with them during important events in their lives and 3 visits with members to catch up on their life events and pray with them.
I still believe that this simple formula will enhance your effectiveness as a pastor. I also believe that we need to be challenged as 21st Century pastors to engage the tools at our disposal so that we can be more effective and good stewards of our time.
Effective Pastoral Ministry for the 21st Century
3 blogs a week and invite 3 unchurched people each day to view your blog.
3 text messages to members with a scriptural word of encouragement
3 ecards to members connecting you to the significant transitions in their lives
3 evites a week to have coffee, discipleship and prayer with leaders and potential leaders in the congregation
3evites a week to have a member join you for a prayer walk in the community where you serve and prayer
3 phone calls a day where you are not driving and not at the computer
Seeking to Serve, Learning to Lead
William T Chaney Jr
Making Disciples to Impact the World
Making Disciples in an Emerging Culture 
October 11, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Good thoughts in view of all that’s available to us today —
I’m wondering though, would it be a good idea to pray for 3 people, 3 families, 3 committees, 3 pending decisions each day before starting into the above list?
It seems to me that with all my frailties and shortcomings (Ps. 103) and knowing His is to be a house of prayer (Is. 56.7) , we need to tap into Divine resources at the outset of each day, sometimes before we even throw back the covers!
October 11, 2006 at 9:20 pm
Phil
I am on board with you. Overlooking God’s power and plan in our pastoral calling is suicide. Pray should have been first. I will add these to my list.
Pastor Chaney
October 12, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Prayer is our first resource, really — why we tend to think of it as our last resort, I don’t know. I have to put little reminders in view to keep things in proper focus. Right now the one I can see as I write this note says:
when men work
men work.
when men pray,
GOD works.
I really like your triads… they sure lift our eyes so we can see the people the Lord has entrusted to us, don’t they? Well-spoken!
August 20, 2007 at 2:04 pm
I am in one accord when you make prayer the priority. One interesting fact that i learnt in my pastoral ministry is that when you cast out demons, the battle is won (or lost) in your prayer room when you are on your knee and not out there in the open.
I wish all the 21st century pastor are aware of this.
March 30, 2008 at 12:01 am
Thanks for the thought-provoking, Bible-based, and innovative ways of doing ministry in the 21st Century. God bless your endeavours.