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student ministry, youth worker, youth ministry

Routine Heart Check Up

By Doug Franklin September 13, 2011

Before we go into a meeting with leaders or students, it’s vital to give ourselves a routine heart check up.

A Routine Heart Check-up:   Think about your heart and your actions since the last meeting you’ve had.  Evaluate your own leadership and development.  Does anything need to change?  Did you follow through with your growth goal from last time?

Rate yourself in the flowing areas.  1=needs improvement 6=strong in this area

Listening Ear – James 1:19 tells us, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” Listen first.  Talk later.
HEART CHECK: Are you quick to listen and slow to speak when you meet with others?       1       2       3       4       5       6

Encouraging Words – Proverbs 25:11 tells us “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”  And Hebrews 10:24 tells us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
HEART CHECK: Do you make a point to encourage your leaders and students regularly and highlight their strengths, rather than their weaknesses?
1       2       3       4       5       6

Accountability – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”
HEART CHECK: Do you follow through with keeping your leaders and students accountable and checking in on them?
1       2       3       4       5       6

Direction – Paul says in Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
HEART CHECK: When was the last time you cast the vision for your leaders and students? Have you consistently communicated the “why” behind different aspects of the ministry?       1       2       3       4       5       6

Evaluation – Paul was committed to the churches that he planted.  After visiting, he wrote letters to the church as a way of giving them feedback on the things he had seen or heard.  Be sure to balance your evaluations with both positive and constructive feedback.
HEART CHECK: Do you make regular visits to the Small Groups in your care? Are you encouraging and challenging them?
1       2       3       4       5       6

Relationship – Jesus poured his heart out to the twelve men in his care.  They did life together, and he knew each of their hearts.  As a result of Jesus showing he genuinely cared for each individual, the group shared a dynamic sense of community where trust was valued.
HEART CHECK: Are your relationships with your leaders and students a priority?  Do you have regular contact with them outside of meetings?
1       2       3       4       5       6

Support – Paul supported and encouraged the Philippian church by saying, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
HEART CHECK: If the leaders in your care were asked whether they  felt a strong support from you, what do you think they would say?
1       2       3       4       5       6

Personal Growth Plan

Which of the  areas need the most improvement in your life?

What action steps are you going to take in order to grow in this area?

What are you going to do?

When are you going to do it?

Who is going to keep you accountable?

About the Author

Doug Franklin

Doug Franklin is the president of LeaderTreks, an innovative leadership development organization focusing on students and youth workers. Doug and his wife, Angie, live in West Chicago, Illinois. They don’t have any kids, but they have 2 dogs that think they are children. Diesel and Penelope are Weimaraners  who never leave their side. Doug grew up in…  Read More