This one is a simple yes or no question. Every pastor, leader and Christian should have a pastor and/or a spiritual director that ministers to, cares for, encourages and holds them accountable as they grow in their relationship with Christ. Depending on the season of life and ministry, you should meet with these individuals 2-12 […]
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What excuses and reasons do I use for not practicing self-care?
We all make excuses, even leaders and especially so around self-care. What excuse or excuses to you tend to make the most when it comes to thinking about why you neglect your own self-care. Is it because you are too busy, there is too much need or too much to do. Better yet, does your […]
Do my children feel that the ministry comes first?
This is the question that no pastor with a family wants to ask, answer or even think about. The reality is that the answer will always be yes to some extent and that is unavoidable. That said, this question is not referring to those rare moments where a leader has to leave a soccer game […]
Am I open to feedback from those who supervise me and work with me?
Leaders, disciples, followers of Jesus must all be life-long learners. As a leader, its important, even if you are at the very top of your organization to be truly open to feedback. We usually believe we are far more open to feedback than we truly are and even more so than we come across. Feedback […]
How do I use my current resources for greater learning?
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. […]
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 […]