Each year the end of December and first of January is a time when I take stock of my life and ministry. What do I feel good about and where do I want to feel better? What do I sense God saying to me? What needs and opportunities can I identify? Where am I succeeding and falling short? How is my walk with God and my relationships with family?
Over the years I’ve done this using different tools and processes. Some of them have stood the test of time, while others are more recent approaches. Here is what I’ve done or am doing this year to help me develop goals and plans for 2018 and beyond. I hope it helps you think about some things you might try.
- Read I and II Timothy in the New Testament
I’ve been doing this each year since I graduated seminary. I make a list of each prompting from the Holy Spirit as I read the verses. I want Him to speak to me about me. What kind of man and minister am I to be? What kind of disciple am I to be? From this list comes a few items of focus for the new year.
- Review and update my life plan
This is a relatively new thing for me. After identifying what I consider to be the seven key relationships and areas of my life, I wrote an honest assessment of their current reality and what I want that reality to be when I die. To reach that future reality, I developed goals and actions plans. These are updated each year.
- Evaluate and adjust my ministry practices and time management plans
For years I’ve used the four quadrant model to help me allocate time and design processes to make sure the most important things in my life and ministry are not ignored. I don’t want them to become a crisis. To keep them healthy, I put them on my calendar first. Because things change with time and new seasons of life, I have to adjust my approach. Those adjustments are reflected in my work schedule and calendar planning.
- My word for 2018
This is another new thing for me. In the past I’ve focused on a particular Bible verse for a year. This year I’m focusing on one word – INVITE. I shared with our congregation this past Sunday that I wanted INVITE to be our word for 2018. I’m going to be intentional and aggressive about inviting people to worship, Sunday School, special events at FBC, parties at our house, and other opportunities to connect, build relationships, and share Jesus. I want each of us at FBC to make INVITE our word for the year.
- Day of Reflection and Prayer
Later this week I’ll spend a day reviewing all the information I’ve talked about in this blog and praying for God’s guidance and wisdom. I welcome your prayers for me. I also encourage you to take some time and do something similar. You don’t have to do it the way I do. But please, do something.
Pastor Steve Hogg
Tammy Gaither says
Hi Steve…Really enjoyed your message on “Blind spots” …It really spoke to my heart. I have some blindspots that I know I have and probably some I have, and have not accepted them yet…That others see but I do not see….I plan to really search my heart and pray that I can learn and grow from my findings… Thank you for the message….I have even shared this message with others…Thanks
Tamny
Steve Hogg says
Thanks Tammy. I’m glad the message was a blessing. Thanks for sharing it with others.