HEALTHY VS. UNHEALTHY
Test yourself and then take the risk of inviting your governing board to take the test to see how they perceive you as their pastor. Use the following scale–Give a 1-5 number to the level of unhealthy qualities and 6-10 for those approaches that are more healthy.
- Financial Compensation ( # )
HC understand that they will not get rich in the ministry.
UC resent the higher income of comparably educated people in other professions.
2. The Food We Eat ( # )
HC are tempted by fast foods, sweet drinks, and other unhealthy diets.
UC indulge in such foods in response to stress and emotional tiredness.
3. Time for Physical Exercise ( # )
HC see regular physical exercise as part of the stewardship of their bodies.
UC do not have time to exercise, given their demanding schedule.
4. Responding to Verbal Abuse ( # )
HC look behind abusive behavior and see pastoral possibilities.
UC see such
abusive behavior as a challenge to their own dignity.
5. Questions and Doubts ( # )
HC experience times of deep questioning and doubt.
UC are consumed by their questions and dominated by their doubts.
6. Responding to Criticism ( # )
HC listen for elements of truth in criticism but do not take it personally.
UC see all criticism as an attack on their personhood.
7. The Value of Play ( # )
HC have several different ways to have fun or unwind when there is time.
UC feel guilty when they are having fun.
8. Families Often Pay a Price ( # )
HC struggle with the sacrifices that their ministry makes on their families.
UC see family needs as a burden that interferes with their ministry.
9. Having Fun with the Family ( # )
HC seek ways to have fun with their families in both small and big experiences.
UC do not
know how to play with the family even when there is time.
10. God Has Called Me to Ministry (# )
HC recognize God’s call includes challenges and even suffering.
UC keep seeking the perfect call where everything feels right.
11. Spirit of the Living God, Breathe on Me (# )
HC sense the Spirits movement in the good and the bad.
UC feel despair is a sign of God’s abandonment.
12. Personal Spiritual Practices ( # )
HC make time for personal spiritual practices a priority.
UC neglect spiritual disciplines because there is not enough time.
13. To Whom Does Scripture Speak (# )
HC approach Scripture with the question: “What is God saying to me?”
UC approach Scripture with the question: “How can I use this in a sermon?”
14. The Focus of Our Prayers ( # )
HC pray for other people and for greater understanding in their ministry.
UC pray
about being misunderstood and underappreciated.
15. Thinking About the Future ( # )
HC take time to muse and play with possibilities for the future.
UC are too busy to play or imagine the future.
16. Faith and Success ( # )
HC recognize that faithful ministry does not always appear successful.
UC are shaped by the world’s definition of success.
17. The Success of Other Clergy ( # )
HC celebrate God’s work in other clergies’ ministries.
UC are envious & critical of other clergies’ ministries.
18. Sexual Attraction ( # )
HC occasionally feel sexual attraction to others.
UC feel the same attraction but do not understand appropriate boundaries.
19. Being Anxious in Anxious Times (# )
HC trust in the sovereignty of God which eases their anxiety in difficult times.
UC allow difficulties to increase their anxiety which makes them critical of others.
20. Who is the Savior ( # )
HC recognize that God’s grace is made perfect in weakness.
UC confuse salvation by personal effort with salvation by faith.
Two major questions for the leadership with respect to themselves as well as the pastor, are: “How would you contrast some unhealthy attitudes in your life with the healthy attitude you would like to have?” and “How willing are you to permit God to work through your imperfections?”
