Joseph Spencer, California resident, has spent more than two decades committed to spreading the word of God. In 2003, Joseph Spencer took a position as a staff musician for Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, TX, where he prepared music for worship service.
Mr. Spencer became an associate pastor and minister of music with the Burning Bush Baptist Church in 2013, a role that involved collaborating with the pastor, organizing community events, and preaching in the pastor’s absence. He worked in the same capacity at Temple Missionary Baptist Church from 2017 to 2021. Ecclesia Christian Fellowship then hired him to oversee the music and assist the senior pastor with sermon planning and teaching.
Today, Mr. Spencer is the director of operations at Inland Empire Resource Center. In this role, he builds management teams, sets high standards for operational quality, and drives effective performance at the resource center. His other roles involve staff development, budget management, and client support services.
In addition to his work at the Inland Empire Resource Center, Mr. Spencer is affiliated with multiple ministries and worship communities. He routinely contributes to and participates in gospel music workshops, leadership conferences, and worship symposiums, both nationally and internationally.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Most days start early with a few quiet moments to read, reflect, and get centered. That time helps me focus and approach the day with the right mindset.
From there, my mornings are usually dedicated to my role as operations director. I check in with staff, review schedules and budgets, respond to emails, and work through any immediate needs or challenges. I also spend time planning and refining systems to ensure our teams remain efficient and supported.
In the afternoon and evening, I shift into ministry work. That might involve preparing a message, leading a rehearsal, meeting with leaders, or providing support to someone in need. Every day looks a little different, but there’s always a rhythm of leadership, service, and preparation.
To stay productive, I rely on structure, clear priorities, and focused time blocks. I try to stay fully present in each part of the day, whether I’m leading a meeting or encouraging someone one-on-one. Keeping God at the center of what I do keeps me grounded, which in turn helps me lead with both purpose and clarity.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by getting clear on the goal and who it’s for. Then I break it into steps, build a simple plan, and bring in the right people to help execute it. I stay involved, keep communication open, and make sure we follow through. Whether it’s a ministry event, a worship project, or a new system at work, I focus on keeping it organized, creative, and practical.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m excited about how technology is helping people connect, create, and collaborate in real-time. Whether it’s churches, nonprofits, or businesses, digital platforms are making it easier to reach wider audiences, share ideas, and build community. When used effectively, it can transform a simple message into something that resonates with people worldwide.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I try to plan my day the night before. Taking a few minutes to organize priorities, review my schedule, and set clear goals helps me start the next day with focus and direction. It keeps me ahead instead of catching up.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient with the journey. Everything doesn’t have to happen at once, and trying to force timing usually leads to frustration. Focus on learning, building character, and staying consistent. Listen more than you speak, ask better questions, and don’t let setbacks make you doubt your calling. The work you’re doing now matters, even when it feels small. Keep showing up, stay humble, and let your growth speak louder than your ambition.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I believe that failure is just as valuable as success, perhaps even more so. Most people try to avoid it at all costs, but I’ve learned the hard way that failure teaches you things success never could. It humbles you, sharpens your focus, and prepares you for what’s next in a way nothing else can.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Take time to pause and reflect. Whether it’s a few quiet minutes in the morning or a weekly reset, that space helps me think clearly and stay grounded. It gives me a chance to process what’s working, what needs adjusting, and where I need to focus next. I recommend it to anyone who wants to lead with clarity instead of just reacting to everything around them.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away and take a moment to pray. Even a short pause helps me reset and remember that I don’t have to carry everything on my own. I ask God for clarity and strength, then focus on one thing at a time. Sometimes I’ll write down what’s on my mind to get it out of my head and organize my thoughts. Prayer keeps me centered, and from there I can move forward with a clearer perspective.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building strong relationships has been one of the most effective strategies in my career. I’ve learned that consistency, follow-through, and genuine connection open more doors than any title or talent alone. Whether in ministry or operations, I make it a priority to show up with integrity and treat people with respect. That trust leads to opportunities, collaboration, and long-term growth. People remember how you made them feel and whether you delivered when it mattered. That has helped me move forward in every space I’ve been called to serve.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I took on too much at once and didn’t ask for help when I should have. I thought being strong meant doing everything myself, and it led to burnout. I missed deadlines, let people down, and had to face the reality that good intentions aren’t enough without healthy limits.
I overcame it by learning to delegate, set boundaries, and build a team I could trust. More importantly, I learned that leadership isn’t about doing it all; it’s about doing the right things with the right people. That experience taught me the importance of humility, effective communication, and maintaining balance.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I want to create a large-scale gospel music festival modeled after the energy and reach of Coachella. It would be a multiday experience, featuring performances from gospel artists in various styles, including traditional, contemporary, hip-hop, choir, and worship. The event would also feature speakers, creatives, and vendors who represent faith, music, and culture.
This would be more than just a concert. It would include workshops, youth programming, leadership sessions, and opportunities for up-and-coming artists to collaborate. Both in-person and online attendance would be available, helping it grow into a national and global event. The vision is to create a space where gospel music and creativity are celebrated on the highest level while building community and inspiring lives.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Planning Center is a tool I use regularly to stay organized and keep ministry moving smoothly. I use it to schedule volunteers, plan worship services, share music and media with the team, and communicate details in advance. It keeps everyone on the same page and saves a lot of time during the week. Whether I’m leading a rehearsal or preparing for Sunday, it helps me stay focused and efficient.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I paid for lunch with a couple of friends I had not seen in a while. It turned into a meaningful conversation and reminded me how important it is to make time for real connection. That lunch was not about the food. It was about being present and investing in relationships that matter. It was money well spent.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book that has stuck with me is Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. It helped me see leadership as less about authority and more about service. The way he breaks down trust, culture, and responsibility really shaped how I lead teams and support others. It reminded me that great leadership starts with creating a space where people feel safe, seen, and valued.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed watching The Chosen. It tells the story of Jesus and the disciples in a way that feels real and relatable. The characters are portrayed with depth, and it is evident in their struggles, doubts, and growth, all of which are presented in a very human way. It reminded me that faith is personal, and that God uses imperfect people to do powerful things.
Key learnings
- Consistency, structure, and reflection help drive productivity and keep purpose at the center of daily work.
- Building strong relationships creates opportunities for growth, trust, and long-term impact.
- Blending creativity with faith can lead to powerful ideas that serve both community and culture.
- Learning from failure can strengthen leadership and sharpen direction moving forward.
- Clear planning, follow-through, and teamwork are essential for turning vision into reality.