"People over Programs!" is a phrase (no pun intended) that has been part of my ministry and youth ministry teaching for years. It is a simple yet essential statement to keep in mind when working in any ministry. I am not saying cast aside all time management principles. I am saying to remember that ministry is about the people!

"Are not all programs about people?" comes the challenge.

"Yes and no" is my response. "Yes" in that all successful programs are essentially about people building and connection (this is another opinion--shared by others in ministry). But "No" in that program preparation, if not careful, can lead to emphasizing too much on the organizing of the event of ministry and not the people that the ministry event is intended to reach and/or encourage. In other words, ministers (and those involved in ministry) have to be open to interruptions to the normal routine of "ministry life." It has been my experience, that these divine interruptions (I don't know who came up with this term, but it indicates how God often interrupts our previously scheduled events and places us in ministry situations) are extremely rewarding and filled with great blessing.

So, the next time you have a lot to do and God offers one of His divine interruptions, don't get annoyed, make the most of the heavenly appointment. You could be standing on Holy Ground--Moses was when he was interrupted.