Maker vs. Manager

Visionary pastors are called to innovate — but many church leaders spend their best hours stuck in meetings, putting out fires, and managing the day-to-day. If your calendar feels full but your vision feels stalled, this episode is for you.

Mark, Hunter, and Scott unpack the powerful framework of Maker Time vs. Manager Time and why misunderstanding it quietly sabotages creativity, strategy, and momentum on church teams. They break down how managers and makers work differently, why a “productive day” looks opposite for each role, and how to structure an ideal week that protects deep work without neglecting execution.
You’ll also hear practical rhythms like batching meetings, guarding prime energy hours, and building systems that replace micromanagement. This conversation will help you reclaim the space where vision actually gets built.

Timestamps:
00:00 — Why visionary leaders feel stuck in day-to-day management
00:34 — “Maker vs. Manager”: the mental model that changes everything
01:16 — The difference between operational work and innovative work
02:27 — How managers accidentally sabotage makers
03:33 — Why makers need long, uninterrupted blocks of time
04:16 — Lead pastors: protecting your deep-work space
05:31 — Measuring productivity without micromanaging creatives
06:52 — Why 9am–1pm is prime creative time for most leaders
08:19 — How (and why) to flip your schedule for maximum output
09:55 — Building an “ideal week” for both managers and makers

If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at hey@readysetgrowchurch.com