The Leadership Calendar: Balancing Strategy, Meetings, and Soul Care

Register now for the Elevate Church Conference on September 21–22, 2026.On this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Bill Ferrell is joined by Brian Coates to discuss one of the most overlooked leadership tools: your calendar. Together, they unpack how a leader’s schedule reveals priorities, shapes team culture, and impacts long-term health. From protecting white space for strategic thinking to building sustainable rhythms for family and soul care, this conversation offers practical insight for leaders trying to lead intentionally instead of reactively. They also explore common warning signs of overload, how to prioritize meetings and commitments, and why healthy leadership requires margin, reflection, and the ability to say no. Whether you lead a church staff, ministry team, or organization, this episode will help you rethink how your calendar supports your mission. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why your calendar reflects your actual prioritiesThe difference between reactive leadership and intentional leadershipHow to create margin for strategic thinkingWarning signs that your schedule is becoming unsustainablePractical ways to prioritize meetings and commitmentsWhy soul care is a leadership issue, not just a personal oneHow healthy leaders protect time for family, rest, and reflectionThe importance of saying no in leadershipMeet the GuestsBill FerrellBill serves at Brentwood Baptist and helps lead organizational strategy, leadership development, and team culture. Passionate about healthy leadership, Bill regularly coaches leaders on building sustainable rhythms and healthy teams.Brian CoatesBrian serves as an Executive Pastor at Brentwood Baptist, helping oversee ministry strategy, staff leadership, and operational direction across the church. He is passionate about building healthy teams, creating intentional leadership rhythms, and helping leaders steward their time well.