God always equips people, especially leaders with the gifts and resources they need to do and be what they are called to. This question is one leaders either ask themselves regularly or not at all. One cannot be a leader, nor even a disciple if they are not willing to continue to grow and learn. […]
Author: marcus
Do I have energy? Do I feel rested and enjoy a reasonable amount of sleep on a daily basis?
This is a tough one for many. So often burnout is the natural consequence of ministry without self-care. It is critical to get adequate, regular sleep for emotional and physical health. This seems like an obvious self-care issue, but for many in ministry leadership, sleep is an afterthought, a luxury even. So often the needs […]
Do I recognize how my family of origin and childhood experiences impact my life currently?
Self-Knowledge is one of the greatest assets and tools a leader can have. Nowhere may this be more important than thinking through how our childhood experiences and family of origin have and continue to impact our life, thinking, words, actions and leadership. Counseling around family of origin issues and influences (we all have them) is […]
What does Sabbath mean to me? How do I practice it? How do I feel about taking time off?
The failure to honestly, sincerely and practically answer this question may be the single factor leading the burnout, moral failure and career changes for ministers and ministry leaders. The sabbath is not a suggestion. It made the top ten list. It was something that God himself did, taking the seventh day to rest. Who am […]
What Resources do I have that can help in my self-care?
So often, this is a question that is not even considered. Ministry and leadership can be an island, and if we are not intentional we will isolate ourselves even though it is not necessary to lead effectively, in fact just the opposite. What resources do you have that can help you better embrace healthy self-care? […]
Am I paying attention to my marriage and family?
This may be one of the least asked questions in ministry, particularly church ministry. So often in our love for God and for ministry we forsake our marriage and our family. Understand that our family must always take priority over our ministry, work and leadership. This does not mean every time there is a schedule […]
What about my current ministry is the most life giving? What about my current ministry sucks life from me?
This one is often difficult for many leaders. Ministry is life giving and hard. Ministry brings with it joys and challenges. Ministry can give us energy and it can suck the life from us. It is important to answer this question from time to time to prevent burnout, bitterness or even naiveté. We should leverage […]
How Can I be a Life-Long Learner
All leaders should be learners. No leader, Christ-follower, disciple or even human being should stop learning. While there are always opportunities to learn, we must be willing to learn and receive those opportunities. We must also be willing to intentionally seek out opportunities to learn. Having earned my Doctorate, the last thing I wanted to […]
Do I eat nutritiously? Do I use food as a coping mechanism for stress? Do I take time to eat?
This one is often difficult for many leaders. Its not uncommon to see Pastors and other leaders struggle with eating and health. The job is often demanding, the schedule inconsistent, the work draining. We all have coping mechanisms for stress and discouragement. For some it is shopping, others smoking and for many eating. While leadership […]
Am I aware of what drives or controls my life, such as food, power, work, need for approval?
Self-knowledge is critical to health and success as a leader. While we seek to be a people who worship God alone, we are imperfect. The truth is that we are often driven by something that we are not consciously aware of. While our hope is to be driven by Jesus and by our calling, so […]