In a World of Noise and Urgency, Learn How Slowing Down and Showing Up Can Transform Your Leadership and Your Ministry
The Moment That Stopped the Tour
We were walking through the shelter, giving a tour to a few guests, when someone paused the conversation. He looked at us—our CEO and me—and said something I won’t forget:
“I still remember when you both took the time to call me. You didn’t just send an email or pass it off. You made time. That meant something.”
That moment hit me. Not just because of what he said, but because of how it revealed a deeper truth: for many people, time is love.
Time as a Love Language
My wife’s love language is time. So is my son’s. They don’t need grand gifts or flashy words—they want with them. Present. Listening. Engaged.
The more I lead in nonprofits, the more I realize this is true for so many of the people we serve, lead, and partner with. Staff. Donors. Volunteers. People in crisis. They remember when we make time.
Time isn’t just a resource. It’s a message. A way of saying, “You matter.”
When you make time for someone, you’re saying: “I’m glad to be with you. I want to spend my time with you.”
And in a world full of distractions and deadlines, that kind of presence is rare—and deeply healing.
Redefining Time Management for Leaders
In the nonprofit world, we talk about time like a commodity:
- “Do I have time to finish this grant?”
- “How do I fit in donor follow-up?”
- “There’s not enough time to rest.”
But what if we reframed it?
Time isn’t just about getting things done. Time is how we love.
Managing your time isn’t only about being efficient—it’s about being present. Present with your team. Present with your family. Present with the people who need your leadership, not just your logistics.
God’s Perspective on Time
Scripture doesn’t ignore time. It says:
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time….” —Ephesians 5:15–16 (ESV)
The word for “time” here is kairos—meaning “the opportune moment.” It’s not just a slot on your calendar. It’s the right time. The divine appointment.
As leaders, we don’t just need more hours in the day. We need wisdom to recognize the kairos—the right moments to be present, to encourage, to pause, to act.
So we pray:
- “God, where should I be fully present today?”
- “Who needs to feel seen?”
- “What moment should I not rush past?”
How to Lead with Time as a Love Language
Here are five ways I’m learning to make time speak love:
- Call people; don’t just email. Sometimes the surprise of a voice is the thing that opens a heart.
- Be interruptible. Love doesn’t always happen on schedule.
- Schedule “people time” the way you schedule meetings. Margin is ministry.
- Put down your phone at home. Your family deserves more than leftovers.
- Ask God for kairos moments. Pray that your day isn’t just busy, but blessed with opportunities to be a blessing.
Bonus Reflection: Love is Patient—and So Is Good Time Management
We often quote 1 Corinthians 13 at weddings, but it was written to a church—a community trying to live out love in real time.
“Love is patient….” —1 Corinthians 13:4
That first word matters. Love is patient. In other words, love takes its time.
In leadership—especially nonprofit leadership—we’re tempted to rush:
- Rush to solve problems.
- Rush to meet goals.
- Rush through people to get to outcomes.
But when we love like Jesus, we slow down.
Patience isn’t passivity. It’s presence. It’s knowing that the person in front of you is not an interruption but an invitation to love.
The connection is clear:
- Love is patient.
- Patience takes time.
- Time is how we love.
So when you think about your schedule, think beyond productivity. Think about how God might want to love someone through your presence.
Your Next Step: Lead Slower, Love Deeper
If this post stirred something in you, don’t ignore it.
Ask yourself today: Who do I need to make time for?
Or better yet—reach out. I’d love to hear how you’re practicing presence in your leadership. Email me at dave@boldleading.com, or subscribe at blog.boldleading.com for more weekly encouragement for Christian nonprofit leaders.