The Eight Dimensions Of A Healthy Minister
This profile describes what a healthy minister will strive to become.
The Spiritual Dimension
A healthy minister maintains a current Pentecostal experience and remains intimately connected with God through a vital devotional life. A healthy minister understands his complete dependence on the grace of God.
The Physical Dimension
A healthy minister takes care of his body as the temple of the Holy Spirit through:
- a minimum of 1 hour (20 minutes on 3 days) of exercise weekly.
- good nutrition.
- properly managing stress.
- sufficient sleep.
- balancing work, play, worship, and rest.
- addressing health issues with both faith-based and medical help.
The Relational Dimension
A healthy minister strives for quality relationships in each area of his life. A healthy minister will remain intimate, committed, and connected with his family, and will be unselfish in helping other ministers.
The Emotional Dimension
A healthy minister has the ability to work through differences, depersonalize conflict, wait for answers, admit wrong, forgive, rejuvenate, handle rejection, handle praise, grieve personal losses, and relate to being confused, tired, or just plain mad. A healthy minister does not seek personal validation through those whom he serves, and engages in good self-care.
The Character Dimension
A healthy minister exhibits the fruit of the Spirit and embraces both personal integrity and ministerial ethics.
The Work Dimension
A healthy minister senses a strong calling into ministry, continually seeks to develop competent ministry skills, and enjoys the work of God because he serves in a ministry fit for his giftedness. A healthy minister manages his time and does not try to meet all of the people’s expectations.
The Financial Dimension
A healthy minister provides for his family, pays his tithes and bills on time, expresses faith through personal giving, and seeks to set aside money for emergencies and retirement.
The Moral Dimension
Before the onset of his ministry, it is expected that a minister has successfully resisted temptation and has addressed childhood trauma that may lead to poor life management. A healthy minister recognizes and maintains professional boundaries and will seek help beyond himself at the earliest indication of succumbing to temptation.
Arden Adamson, superintendent, Wisconsin-Northern Michigan District, Waupaca, Wisconsin
