Happy New Year! Wow…2019! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I pray God blesses you this coming year, so you can be a blessing to others!  So how do you start out a New Year? To be honest, I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I am big on setting goals. It is so easy to let time slip by without stepping back and evaluating what is happening in our lives.

LET’S TALK…
The New Year can give all of us a new start. Here are some important questions in five areas of your life as you begin 2019.

1. How is your spiritual health?
   The old timers used to ask, “Is it well with your soul?” Looking back on 2018 have you drawn closer to the Lord? What areas in your life is God asking you to change in 2019? To surrender to Him? To trust Him more? What are some specific things you could help your spiritual growth?
2. How is your relationship health?
   The older I get, the more I value relationships, especially with my family and close friends. How are you getting along with others? Is there someone you need to reach out to and ask for forgiveness? What is God asking you to be and do to build healthier relationships in 2019? What specific goals and actions steps could improve your relationships?
3. How is your physical health?
   We cannot ignore the importance of physical fitness because it affects our energy and focus. So, are you taking care of yourself physically? Are you exercising enough? How’s your diet? When is your next doctor’s visit? The important thing is that you act. Decide to live healthier in 2019. The Apostle John wrote, “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 2).
4. How is your financial health?
   I like John Wesley’s advice: “Earn all you can, give all you can, save all you can.” How generous are you? Are you tithing to your local church? Are you saving enough? What are your plans for retirement?  Are you spending less than you make? What changes are needed in 2019?
5. How is your ministry health?
   One of my pet peeves is calling our pastors “ministers.” The Bible says that every Christian is a minister. Are you using your God-given gifts and abilities to minister to others? Are you serving where you are the most effective? Where is God asking you to be more involved this coming year?

BEFORE YOU GO…
By the way, these five areas happen to be the five areas covered in our Pacific Conference Coaching. This is available for all pastors, staff, and their spouses. We all need someone to come alongside us to encourage us and keep us on track. If you are interested in coaching, you can contact our Coaching Director, Tom Hurt, by emailing him at coaching@ThePacificConference.com.