I believe that those of us in ministry positions should constantly check in with ourselves. This questioning is not necessarily to push us to the next position, but to judge whether we enjoy the work at hand. It is the first step in measuring personal health within roles that ask a lot from us timewise and emotionally.

Here are five questions that I recommend asking yourself about your ministry. Ultimately, be gentle with yourself as you walk through the questions.

1. What about this work gets me jazzed or excited?

When you share with your friends, family, or random strangers about your work, what puts a smile on your face? What tasks or activities do you love doing?

Sometimes we can enter lulls in our work, so slowing down and considering the specific aspects of our roles, jobs, or ministry contexts that we enjoy can open new ways to look at our work. 

2. How does this work align with my original expectations or job description?

Are you doing the role you were originally assigned to do? Are you spending more time doing a specific aspect of the position than you initially expected? Ultimately, how does the role compare to your expectations or to what you were told when you accepted the position?

3. What about this work do I struggle with?

Ideally, you will love everything about your ministry and ministry context. Realistically, there will be aspects that are disappointing or frustrating. As you list these “struggles,” are there ways to minimize their impact on your work? Are there creative ways to turn those “struggles” into something more life-giving?

4. Where are the opportunities for growth?

Can you participate in workshops or certificate programs? Is there a professional organization you can join that hosts opportunities for development? Are you working in a context that encourages learning or creates chances for you to develop new skills? If you are a paid employee, are there opportunities for new responsibilities or roles within your ministry context?

Stagnation is not beneficial for you or for the community you serve, and it can lead to your languishing.

5. Where have I seen or experienced God in this role?

This should be the most important question on this list. We can’t force a “mountaintop experience” in all aspects of our work, but we should be able to notice where the divine intersects with the work that we do.

Make sure that you are seeking God’s presence in your work. If, after deep reflection, you are not finding God in your role, then you may need to review questions 1 – 4.

What Next?

Once you walk through these five questions, check in with yourself. How are you feeling? What have you discovered? Whom do you need to bring into your reflection on these questions?

A key reason to ask yourself these questions is to make sure you are paying attention to how you fit within your ministry context. It is easy in ministry positions — clergy, lay, paid, volunteer — to burn the candle on both ends and find yourself exhausted by the work you do. If you are feeling burned out, my hope is that this process will allow you the opportunity to reflect not only on the ministry and context you serve, but also to begin considering your own ongoing vocation in your ministry and in the world.

Featured image is by Ana Municio on Unsplash