Effective leaders constantly evaluate their own progress and consider how they can improve. Balancing looking back and looking forward can be challenging, but a healthy leader recognizes the importance of learning from the past without dwelling on it. We can celebrate past milestones while recognizing the need to continually grow and improve. We can only grow if we know what changes we need to make.

Three personal questions to help you move forward in 2016 by looking back

Here are three questions ministry leaders (especially kids’ ministry leaders) should ask as we look back over the past year to evaluate how we’ve grown.

1. How have I grown in my relationship with Christ? What is different today than a year ago? We should be able to identify a marked change.

2. In what ways have I invested in my spouse and children? Can I articulate practical ways I have invested in my family?  

3. In what ways have I grown in other areas of my life: intellectual, social, emotional, physical? Am I attending to the whole person?

Planning for 2016 is exciting. However, in order to make sure we make the greatest impact possible through our ministry, we should know what needs to occur in order to make that happen. Looking back inspires us to keep growing by measuring the progress we’ve made. It also challenge us to identify new opportunities and strategies for growth. As you begin the new year, have you considered the past year’s high points and low points?

Are you pleased with your answers for these personal questions? Did anything stand out to you?