I set aside time to pause, ask honest questions about my personal life and leadership, and decide what needs attention.

I’ve developed the sample questions below to help leaders consider relationships, energy, discipleship and the needs of their church. The aim is to turn what you notice into practical action.

Key Takeaways

• Set aside an hour every month or so for intentional reflection.
• Choose a quiet place where you feel relaxed and unrushed.
• Ask about your personal relationships and energy as well as church responsibilities.
• Record your answers so you can see patterns over time.
• Put practical next steps into your calendar.

Why is a regular self-reflection hour a good idea?

Proverbs has some interesting advice for those who want to live a wise life.

Proverbs 14:8 says, “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways.”

Likewise, Proverbs 14:15 says, “The prudent give thought to their steps.”

I think everyone occasionally gives thought to their ways as they go about their daily business but there’s something to be gained from having a regularly scheduled hour during which you focus on specific questions.

I believe this time is especially important for pastors as they lead their congregations.

Reflecting regularly can help improve your leadership by evaluating specific areas for growth over time. These areas could include ministry, spiritual growth, or even how your heart may be opening toward something God is asking you to do.

I’ve found this practice has kept me focused on the majors. It also has given me time to consider new ideas. This practice has helped me become a more contemplative leader and slowed down the perpetual rush hour of my life.

What an opportunity!

Steps and Sample Questions for Leaders to Reflect

In Luke 5, after Jesus healed the man with leprosy, the Bible says in verse 16 that, Jesus often withdrew to lonely places.

Regular time to reflect and pray is biblical. It is important to take intentional time to look back on what has happened and to think ahead on what is to come.

Jesus did, and so should we.

To make things simple, here are some starter questions church leaders can use for evaluation.

1. Where?

The best way to conduct this time is in a quiet place that you enjoy. The main criteria is that you are relaxed, unrushed and enjoying that environment. It may be a favorite room at home, in a café, at the beach, in a forest or even on a plane.

2. When?

Set aside an hour every month or so to run through this list, or a list you have created yourself. Put it into your calendar as a recurring appointment, just as I recommend when structuring a pastor’s weekly schedule.

It can be helpful to build in time to reflect on the past few months, the past year, and the coming year to see where you have made progress and where you can continue to grow.

3. How?

Simply, ask yourself questions like these and act on your answers.

Record your answers in a notebook or a notes app such as Evernote, so you can track your answers from month to month and year to year.

Make sure your diary is handy as you will undoubtedly add action items to it.

Personal

How’s my marriage?

How’s my relationship with my kids?

How are my relationships with my friends and colleagues?

What can I do in the next month to strengthen these relationships?

How are my energy levels?

What do I need to start doing?

What do I need to stop doing?

Leadership

What are some things my church needs?

How’s our discipleship as a church?

Who am I helping to grow as a leader? My approach to developing emerging leaders may help you turn that question into a practical next step.

What’s the Holy Spirit saying our services need?

What church members could use my attention?

How can we be more Christ-focused as a church?

Effective Ministry Requires Evaluation

Regularly assessing your personal life and ministry is crucial for staying on course.

After you have taken stock, create an action plan to implement your findings and move forward effectively.

This proactive approach ensures that the answers to your questions translate into meaningful progress, helping you to stay aligned with your goals and continue growing a healthy church.

If you want to explore more resources, see what is available in the Hub.

Frequently asked questions about leadership reflection

How often should I set aside time to reflect?

I recommend an hour every month or so. The regular appointment matters because it gives you time to consider specific questions rather than relying on whatever comes to mind during a busy week.

Where should I do it?

Choose somewhere quiet that you enjoy and where you can feel relaxed and unrushed. That might be a room at home, a café, the beach or a forest. The setting should help you give the questions your attention.

What should I write down?

Record your answers to the personal and leadership questions. Include what you notice about your relationships, energy and ministry, then record the action you intend to take. Keeping those notes lets you look back across several months.

What if I notice the same issue every month?

I would look at the action that follows the reflection. Is there something you need to start or stop? Put the next step into your calendar. If you need help working it through, consider receiving mentoring and support.

Should I focus only on church results?

No. My questions begin with marriage, children, friends, colleagues and energy. Ministry responsibilities matter, but I want leaders to reflect on the whole of life.