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 […]
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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 […]
Do I have a plan for the care of my spiritual health? How often do I abandon it for other demands?
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 […]
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 […]