Flourishing in Ministry Self-Assessment for Pastors

“Pastors don’t get into difficulty because they forget they are pastors . . . they get into difficulty because they forget they are persons.” (Dr. Archibald Hart)

It is a rare pastor who forgets that he or she is a pastor. The reminders are inescapable: the overflowing inbox; the texts and calls at all times of day or night; the chance encounter at the grocery store that turns into a full-blown pastoral visit; the Sundays that just keep coming. It is difficult to forget you’re a pastor.

It is, on the other hand, all too easy to forget that you’re a person. That is, a human being who needs quiet, rest, human connection, and fun. It is even easier for your congregants to forget this fact. Do you know what doesn’t forget? Your body. Your mind. Your soul. You are a human being – an image bearer of God – whose full humanity must be attended to. When your human nature is neglected, it will demand your attention. And it will do so in ways that are unwanted and inconvenient: acute physical illness; chronic pain; mental and emotional exhaustion; overpowering anxiety or despair; marital strife; conflict between you and your congregation. All too often, pastors ignore their souls’ warning signs until their souls can’t take any more.

What if there was a way to give your body, mind, and soul the attention they needed before you reached the breaking point? 

The Flourishing in Ministry self-assessment is designed to do just that. This no-cost assessment is the product of a decade-long study of more than 40,000 pastors. It explores four dimensions of human flourishing (“Daily Wellbeing”, “Resilience”, “Thriving”, and “Authenticity”), and generates a personalized report that offers honest reflection and practical guidance. The Flourishing in Ministry report is easy to read and interpret, and is an excellent addition to your wellbeing toolkit. You explore it more detail with a Flourishing in Ministry Coach (such as Thrive’s Pastor Wellbeing Consultant) or a Thrive Facilitated Mentoring Group.  

Start with the assessment. Take twenty minutes to complete it. Take another twenty minutes to review your results. Take just a little time to listen to what your body, mind, and soul are saying. It takes no time to remember that you’re a pastor. It is worth taking the time to reconnect with who you are as a person.

For more information about these and other Pastor Wellbeing resources, contact Thrive ([email protected]).