SWORD Assessment | The Pastors Lounge

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Five short sections to help you see how well your calling is being protected. Answer honestly; there are no wrong answers.

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Section 1 of 5

Supported

Who’s in your safety net? How’s your accountability?

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift his fellow. But woe to him that is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

1How would you rate the health of your marriage on a scale of 1-4? (If not married please skip to question 1B)If applicable

1Terrible / On the verge of divorce 2Struggling, but we’re trying 3Pretty good 4Never been better!

1AHow would you rate your marital intimacy on a scale of 1-4? (All forms ex: physical, emotional, communication, quality time etc.)If applicable

1Terrible, we rarely connect 2Struggling, but we’re trying 3Pretty good 4Never been better!

1BIf not married, how would you rate your overall significant relationship health on a scale of 1-4? (significant other, close friends, close family)If applicable

1Terrible 2Struggling, but I’m trying 3Pretty good 4Never been better!

2If asked, can you readily identify at least 3 close friends (beyond your spouse) that are proven trustworthy and wise confidants?

Yes No

3If you have children (if not, skip to 3C), how would you rate your relationship with them on a scale of 1-4?If applicable

1Often difficult 2Decent most days 3Mostly good 4Not perfect, but overall great!

3ATo your awareness, are your children supportive of your being in ministry?If applicable

Yes No

3BAre you able to attend the majority of your children’s special life events?If applicable

Yes No

3CTo your awareness, is your immediate family supportive of your being in ministry?If applicable

Yes No

3DAre you able to attend the majority of your family members’ special life events?If applicable

Yes No

4Is your church structured with access to mental health support if you recognize the need (for yourself)?

Yes No

5Do you have the ability to take time (at least a week) off and have in-house or outside ministerial back-up on a minimum 2x a year basis?

Yes No

6When was your last vacation?

Less than 1 month ago 1-6 months ago 7 months - 1 year ago Over 1 year ago

7Are you able to have a personal sabbath day / half day of rest, with no social activity for recharge?

Yes No

8Is there a board / trustee group in your church/denomination to help with ministerial decisions?

Yes No

9How would you rate your community networking with other local churches?

Awful Decent Good Couldn't be better!

10Are you involved in any ministry leadership support groups or summits?

Yes No

If Yes, please name here: (Supported Q10)

Additional Comments (Supported)

Section 2 of 5

Whole

Are you spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally fit?

“Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2.

PHYSICAL

1How often do you exercise?

Consistently (4-5 times a week of 30+ minutes of exercise) Intermittently (2-3 days a week) Rarely (1x a week or less) Never

2How often do you have a day for NO action and total rest?

Consistently (1x/week) Intermittently (1-2x/month) Rarely (1x/quarter) Never

3How would you describe your eating habits?

Very healthy (most of my meals are all natural, fast food no more than 1x/week, water is primary beverage) Mostly healthy (fast food 2-3x/week, otherwise home-cooked/natural meals, some water intake) Somewhat unhealthy (4-5 fast food meals a week, little water, more juice/soda/coffee) Unhealthy (most of my diet is fast food, low water intake, mostly juice/soda/coffee)

4How would you describe your sleep hygiene? (If you are in a life transition season, ie new baby at home, answer based on your general average pre-baby.)

Great! (I sleep 6-8 hours a night, minimal waking) Mostly good Decent Very poor

5Are you current (in the last year) with all medical appointments (ie Primary Care Physician, dental, vision, OB-GYN, Urologist, Cardiologist etc. as applicable)

Yes No

SPIRITUAL

1Are you able to engage in your own regular time of prayer / meditation beyond your dedicated time of study / preparation for service?

Yes No

2Can you readily identify a mentor / spiritual leader who is actively supporting you in your ministerial career?

Yes No

3(For married couples & those with children) Do you and your family have a regular time of prayer together at home? (Singles can skip to question 4)If applicable

Yes No

4Would you consider yourself healed from any experienced “church hurt”? (offense, trauma, wounding from a parishioner or team member)

Yes No

Mental / Emotional

1How much time per day would you say you spend on social media?

Less than an hour a day 2-3 hours 4-6 hours 7 hours +

2If a trusted confidant / your spouse asked to see your phone, would there be any concerns about what they would find?

Yes No

3Are you currently in therapy or pursued it at any point since going into ministry?

Yes, currently Yes, in the past No, never

4AHave you experienced: Substance abuse history?

Never Over 1 year ago In the last 6 months Currently

4BHave you experienced: Addictions (sexual/behavioral)?

Never Over 1 year ago In the last 6 months Currently

4CHave you experienced: Panic / Anxiety?

Never Over 1 year ago In the last 6 months Currently

4DHave you experienced: Suicidal thoughts?

Never Over 1 year ago In the last 6 months Currently

If you are experiencing active suicidal thoughts, please alert a trusted friend, family member or colleague immediately, call 911, text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. Do not delay! Get help!

4EHave you experienced: Self-harm?

Never Over 1 year ago In the last 6 months Currently

4FHave you experienced: Depression?

Never Over 1 year ago In the last 6 months Currently

4GHave you experienced: Unforgiveness?

Never Over 1 year ago In the last 6 months Currently

4HHave you experienced: Low Self-esteem?

Never Over 1 year ago In the last 6 months Currently

5How would you rate your stress management?

Terrible Challenging Good Excellent

6How would you rate your regular (at least 1x/week) utilization of non-work related leisure hobbies?

Terrible Challenging Good Excellent

Additional Comments (Whole)

Section 3 of 5

Ordered

Are you clear who has called you? Is it God or others?

Acts 20:28 TPT- “So guard your hearts. Be true shepherds over all the flock and feed them well. Remember, it was the Holy Spirit who appointed you to guard and oversee the churches that belong to Jesus, the Anointed One which he purchased and established by his own blood.”

1If a personal relationship was part of your journey towards going into ministry (ie parents or other family members are pastors) how much did this relationship influence your decision to go into ministry?

Completely Somewhat Barely Not at all

2Please rate your overall vocational satisfaction

Not at all satisfied Somewhat satisfied Mostly satisfied Completely satisfied

3How often do you consider an alternate career?

Always Occasionally Rarely Not at all

4How sure are you that this is your lifelong career?

I definitely won't be in this career long term It’s unlikely I’ll remain in this career It’s highly likely I’ll remain in this career There’s NO doubt this is my calling for life

5At this juncture, if you could do your life over again, would you change your career and not do ministry?

Yes No

Additional Comments (Ordered)

Section 4 of 5

Ready

Character tested, properly trained and guided

“Where there is no counsel, the people fall, but in the multitude of counsel there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14

1How prepared/equipped do you feel your seminary / theological / professional training left you for addressing the personal challenges that accompany being in full time ministry? (If you have not had formal ministry training, skip to 1A)If applicable

Not at all Somewhat prepared Pretty well prepared Extremely well prepared

1AIf you were informally trained/on the job trained for ministry, how prepared/equipped do you feel your training experience left you for addressing the personal challenges that accompany being in full time ministry?If applicable

Not at all Somewhat prepared Pretty well prepared Extremely well prepared

2Were there any courses pertaining specifically to pastoral mental health preservation in your seminary / theological training? (If you have not had formal ministry training, skip to 2A)If applicable

Yes No

2AIf you were informally trained/on the job trained for ministry, were there any encouraged courses, readings or discussions with your leadership team pertaining specifically to pastoral mental health preservation?If applicable

Yes No

3Is your church set up with readily identifiable supports for your accountability and mental wellness needs as a leader?

Yes No

4Before entering your role as pastor/leader at your current church, was there a portion of your interview that addressed any of the below topics:Criminal background, Family member interview, Mental health assessment?

Yes No

If yes, which one(s) were addressed? (Ready Q4)

5Do you have a readily identified mentor in ministry or “father / mother” in the faith you connect with regularly for guidance?

Yes No

6How consistent are you with pursuing continuing education and training around your ministry role?

Not at all consistent / don’t know the last time Somewhat consistent / every other year Very consistent / annually Extremely consistent - 2x / year

Additional Comments (Ready)

Section 5 of 5