Early in my ministry, I spent so much time planning for the year ahead, budgeting, and goal-committing—but the years, and of course, the Lord, have shown me that such precise planning can be a waste of time.

Spiritual growth isn’t automatic. Those you lead and serve must be intentional about growing spiritually. People won’t grow spiritually by accident. It is important to be purposeful in helping Christians grow in their faith.

It is easy to hear the term “self-critical” and be immediately put off. After all, it’s difficult to be our own critics. However, utilizing self-criticism means taking a more self-aware path to ensure that you aren’t overlooking any possible areas of self-improvement.