A Year-End Leadership Practice Every Church Staff Needs

Hey!

As we head into the final stretch before Christmas and the New Year break, I wanted to share something that’s been meaningful for our team—and might serve you and your leaders as well.

Before we rest, we’re taking time to look back and look ahead. Not as a performance review, but as a pastoral moment. A chance to name what this year required, celebrate what God did, and step into the next season with clarity instead of carryover weight.

Scripture says, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NLT). Wisdom doesn’t just come from doing more—it comes from reflecting well.

To help guide that process, we put together a Year-End Reflection & Forward Planning Tool for our staff. It creates space for:

• Personal and spiritual health check-ins

• Ministry wins and lessons learned

• Support and empowerment conversations

• Faith-filled alignment for the year ahead

It’s simple, pastoral, and practical—and it’s helped us finish the year strong and start the next one healthy.

If your team has been running hard (and whose hasn’t?), this might be a helpful way to slow down on purpose before the break.

Praying you finish this year with peace, gratitude, and hope—and step into what’s next with clarity and confidence.

You’re not alone in this.

Grateful for you,

PS. Healthy churches are built by healthy leaders—and healthy leaders take time to reflect before they rest.