Welcome back to the continuation and conclusion of my interview with Danny Akin, the president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Read part one of the interview here.

Danny, what single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your effective use of time?

You have to take control of your calendar or your calendar will take control of you. However, I must confess to being a disaster in this area! I far too often say yes when I need to say no. I do say no more often than I used to, but according to my wife and those around me, I still do not say it enough. I think in this context we must understand the difference between that which is good and that which is best. As painful as it may be, sometimes we need to say no to good things that we might say yes to the best things. This principle guided me as a dad of four sons. I believe God honored my efforts in this area, imperfect as they were.

What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your leadership?

The best counsel I ever received is to surround yourself with people who are more gifted than you and better than you in the areas of their expertise. In other words, find people who complement you in terms of strengths and weaknesses. Too many leaders are insecure, and therefore they feel the need to be wiser, smarter and more competent in every area. No one, however, is that good. I have found it to be of inestimable value to surround myself with people who are so much better than me in the areas of their responsibility. Surround yourself with good, godly, talented men, and then release them to do what they do well. Let me add, I am always concerned more about character than I am expertise. Men can be trained to do a job. However, their character and commitment and devotion to Christ is something that comes from within. It is a matter of the heart.

Where in ministry are you most regularly tempted to discouragement?

I am the type of person who is not easily discouraged. In fact, I tend to go into depression once a year and when I do I go and take a long nap, sleep for several hours and then I always feel better! However, I am discouraged to see so many men in ministry fall to sexual and financial temptation. It continually breaks my heart. But, it is a good reminder that I am not above those things as well, and therefore I need to guard my life carefully both in terms of thought and action to see that I do not become a casualty to the attacks of the flesh and the evil one.

Do you exercise? If so, what do you do? If not, why not? (Please be specific.)

I do exercise though I have recently had a severe operation and have struggled to get back into a routine. I walk and run and, while I do, I listen to Christian music and good preaching. My goal is to walk/run an hour a day at least five days a week. I can readily confess that when I do I feel so much better. It is simply a lack of discipline at this particular moment that has kept me from getting back into the habit that I have followed now for many, many years.

Currently, what sport do you like to play and/or watch?

I do not play sports anymore, but I am a massive football, basketball and baseball fan. I love to pull for the Georgia Bulldogs in college football. I also am a fan of North Carolina and Kentucky basketball. I also enjoy pulling for the Dallas Cowboys in spite of …! I do take great delight in watching the Redskins, Steelers, Patriots, Yankees, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan and USC lose. In fact it is a glorious day when all of them chalk up a loss on a given Saturday. I of course despise the Florida Gators, being a Georgia fan, but I must confess to a great love and admiration for their quarterback Tim Tebow. He honors the Lord through his athletic ability and giftedness.

What do you do for leisure?

Not much! I walk, read and hang out with my wonderful wife, Charlotte, who loves to watch movies and a few particular TV shows. I can always find her ready to watch a flick. She is especially fond of the old black and white movies, and though that is not my first impulse, she has helped me develop an appreciation for many of those classics. I am also a big fan of a few TV shows, in particular 24. In fact I warn my students that during the spring, they should not seek to contact me on Monday nights between 9 and 10:00pm, as I will be unavailable!

If you were not in ministry, what occupational path would you have chosen?

If I were not in ministry, I do not know what I would be doing. God called me into the ministry on a mission trip on an Indian Reservation in Sells, Arizona, in 1977. I have never looked back, nor have I ever considered doing anything other than preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and seeking to be used by our Lord to build His church and take the gospel to the nations. If I were not in ministry, I guess I would be dead. That is certainly my hope and prayer for if Jesus tarries His coming, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”