Author: Gay Fehr
Last saved by: Diane Kaufmann
Company: Synod Resource Center

An Assessment Tool

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength…and love your neighbor as yourself.  (Mark 12:30-31)

Examine yourself according to the following statements:

Love God with all my heart?
	Am I in touch with my feelings?
	Do I let out what I feel in constructive ways?
	I celebrate enough.  I can remember the last time I laughed from the gut.
	The stress in my life is creative not chaotic.
	My grievances pass by rather than stick with me.
	I have someone to talk to about my honest feelings.

Love God with all my soul?
	I spend time in solitude and silence each day.
	I read my Bible devotionally.
	I take retreats when I need to.
	I spend time wondering, dreaming, imagining.
	I do things for others without expecting anything in return.
	I have a spiritual friend to share with.

Love God with all my strength?
	I eat healthy and watch the snacks.
	I like the way I look.
	I do not work more than 50 hours a week.
	I exercise regularly.
	I get enough sleep (don't need an alarm in the morning).
	I am busy enough, not bored but also not so busy that I always feel rushed.

Love God with all my mind?
	I ask a lot of questions.
	I try to learn new things and take risks.
	I limit the amount of television that I watch.
	I read things that are not job-related.
	I look for outlets for creativity.
	I like my job.

Love my neighbor as myself?
	I consider myself to be tolerant of others.
	I've started a new friendship in the past year.
	I do some volunteer work.	
	I have deep conversations with people.
	I play enough.
	I intentionally nurture important relationships to me.

A Rule for Personal Prayer Life

1.	To promise at least two minutes of silence and solitude each morning to center yourself no matter how late you get up or busy you are.  (Although more time is generally good, this brief constant prayer period will ensure a faithfulness to being centered on God.
Centering Prayer
A.	Be still and quiet the body
B.	Gently begin to breathe deeply
C.	Let yourself become aware
D.	Go inward, silently repeating your prayer word
E.	Be at peace with God

2.	Several times during the day reflect for a few seconds quietly on the presence of God in your life using stories, images, rituals or a phrase from scripture such as "Be still and know that I am God."

3.	To read scripture at least once a week for five or ten minutes with no ulterior purpose or goal (i.e. sermon prep) so that God remains a real concrete presence in life rather than a vague entity.
Lectio Divina
A.	Reading the word; a few verses very slowly
B.	Meditation; personalize (ponder the word)
C.	Prayer; prayer for your thoughts and questions
D.	Contemplation; rest in God's loving gaze

To speak about your faith journey either formally (spiritual direction) or informally (with a spiritual friend) so you don't slip into a social work leadership role without any sense of the spiritual source of the activity.