This is a critical question for all leaders and pastors. So often, our work and our leadership is spiritual and this becomes our spiritual life. This is not healthy or sustainable. It is not Biblical. Our study of the scriptures and prayer for work is not our spiritual life. We give and lead out of […]
Author: marcus
What am I willing to change in order to take better care of myself? How can I make self-care more of a priority?
In some ways, this question should be first in a self-care inventory. Self-care is pointless if it is not a priority, this is perhaps the first and greatest challenge for many leaders. To recognize the need for self-care and then choose to make it a priority is the first step and the one that many […]
Is my life financially sound? Do I spend wisely, give generously and save carefully?
This is a difficult question for all leaders, those inside and outside of the church. So often, ministry and non-profit work is not lucrative and can bring a lot of financial fear and stress. To be financially sound while serving, giving much and earning little is more than tricky. The truth is that it is […]
Self-Leadership: the challenge of self-care
The following is an article for Fuller’s Burner Blog here.
How and in what ways does ministering to others minister to me?
This is an interesting question for all pastors, ministry leaders and others who do ministry in a formal or informal way to consider. Certainly anyone who has served has recognized and experienced the sentiment that you receive far more than you feel that you give. At the same time, we must guard our ministry motivations […]
How am I continuing my education? What is my plan for continued learning?
The call to discipleship includes the call to follow, listen and learn. As ministry leaders its critical that we continue our education and continue to learn, not only for the sake of our organizations and our effectiveness, but for our own health as well. Leaders can grow, be energized and care for themselves by continuing […]
Do I feel my age or do I feel older? Younger?
This question from the inventory often feels like one of the most superficial and yet difficult to answer questions. Age should not matter in our life or ministry and God can and will use us in the midst of the benefits and drawbacks of any season of life. This question is rooted in our physical […]
Do I check in with a counselor at least yearly?
This is one of those questions on the self-care inventory that could easily make anyone uncomfortable. There is still something in our culture, perhaps even more so amongst ministry leaders, staff and clergy that makes us think that we should not and cannot have problems, and if we did, we would never share them. This […]
Conflict & Care
I have yet to meet a leader who is not impacted by conflict. We all experience it as it is a reality of leadership and life. Conflict can be one of our greatest enemies to personal health and self-care. For this blog entry I am including an article I have written about some of my […]
Do I Practice Spiritual Disciplines on a Regular Basis?
The spiritual disciplines are the practices we utilize to form habits that cause us to more freely live in God’s grace. They should be consistent with Scripture, tradition, reason and history. Reading the scripture, prayer, solitude, meditation, fasting, and many others constitute the spiritual disciplines. Often as ministry leaders, we practice these things as part […]