I'm spending some time today reflecting on this year and planning for next year. I love this time of year because it's an opportunity to evaluate. I always try to reestablish some good habits via New Years Resolutions.
To be honest, it usually comes down to this. I need to exercise more, pray more, read more. Right? Oh yeah, I also need to watch less TV. Not exactly rocket science. It's all about reestablishing priorities. But doing it in a way that is motivating and sustainable. For example, exercising more will never do the trick for me. I need a specific goal like training for a triathlon. Same with spiritual disciplines. I need goals. For example, reading through a new version of the Bible. I was convicted recently by something J.I. Packer said: "I've been telling people for years that every Christian worth his salt ought to read the Bible from cover to cover every year."
By the way, I've found that fasting is a great way to reestablish habits and priorities. It helps you kick start things and gain some spiritual momentum.
To be honest, it usually comes down to this. I need to exercise more, pray more, read more. Right? Oh yeah, I also need to watch less TV. Not exactly rocket science. It's all about reestablishing priorities. But doing it in a way that is motivating and sustainable. For example, exercising more will never do the trick for me. I need a specific goal like training for a triathlon. Same with spiritual disciplines. I need goals. For example, reading through a new version of the Bible. I was convicted recently by something J.I. Packer said: "I've been telling people for years that every Christian worth his salt ought to read the Bible from cover to cover every year."
By the way, I've found that fasting is a great way to reestablish habits and priorities. It helps you kick start things and gain some spiritual momentum.
5 Comments:
Yep, I need to do the same, though I've changed read the Bible to understand the Bible better, even if it is just one verse at a time like 1Thessalonians 5:16-18. Oh, and thanks for my newest one, A Lion Chasers Manifesto (from October InTouch) as we just finished a group study of the book. Later on in the same InTouch, Mark Littleton’s “The Ten Second Prayer Principle” is another. I have been doing constant prayer better, just need to do more on purpose. Another strong one I (we all) need to focus in on is in line with the blog on Reformation, renewing the faith foundations, and reaching the unchurched, or outsiders as in David Kinnaman’s “Unchristian.” Could be a busy year!
Wow, this is a good kick in the rear today. I too need to do more Spiritual Training and I like the idea of JI Packer and reading through the Bible every year. I have tried but it seems with Seminary there is just no time, however I still seem to make time for Law and Order. Thanks for the reminder.
Ronnie's comment about Seminary is so ironic... and so true! I remember those days.
I never learned in Bible College or Seminary the importance of life/ministry evaluation and goal setting. I never learned anything about Time Management either. How important are those things for life and ministry! In my last year of seminary I went to a Franklin Quest (now Franklin Covey) one-day seminar and it opened my world up to these things - and I thank God! How important is it in ministry to do what you'll say you'll do when you say you'll do it? Your credibility is on the line. Get a calendar. Get a process... and get with it! :)
So I love this time of year too. It's great to look back and forward. It's fantastic to begin again and get a little bit better at life and ministry.
Just last night I put my 'Yearly Planning' process on paper. I've collected stuff from a few different places and I needed to get it into a sequential process (because I was swimming in my own head...)
Here it is, if you're interested.
YEARLY PLANNING
1. Review Mission Statement, Values, Guiding Principles and Ministry Manifesto.
2. Review my current Personal Affirmations.
3. Review my Roles in relationship to my purpose, values and personal affirmations.
4. Evaluate “My 10 Lives” looking for opportunities for change.
5. Review 12-24 Month Goals. Celebrate each accomplished goal.
6. Renew 12-24 Month Goals. Ask “What do I want?” and “Why do I want it?”
7. Create a Project for each new goal, as needed.
8. Renew Personal Affirmations, writing a new affirmation for each new goal. Read Personal Affirmations twice daily for 90 days, then several times each week for the rest of the year.
9. Review and Renew 3 to 5 Year Vision.
10. Celebrate and record dates as Goals are accomplished.
Good call, Mark, and thanks for your transparency. You're right...this is a good time to evaluate and re-set &/or re-prioritize.
Btw, your goal-setting list is pretty inspirational and very helpful to those of us with writers-block.
Thanks for blessing and mentoring us younger pastors...via your blog.
Have a great holiday season.
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