Elder/Deacon Self-Evaluation

Tim Keller and David Powlison have put together a self-evaluation questionnaire for pastors. It begins by quoting 1 Timothy 4:16, a verse that I have been meditating on a great deal this season.

Passage:  Read

I think this assessment tool could be helpful for deacons as well as for elders. Part II on Pastoral Skill would need some tweaking to be specific to the deacon role, but Part I on Holiness would apply across the board in regard to leadership qualifications.

Pastoral Practice | Pastor’s Self-Evaluation Questionnaire

by Tim Keller and David Powlison

Article:  Read

Outline:

1. Intro

2. Part I. Personal Qualifications of Effective Ministers: Holiness

A. Humility

i. Do you acknowledge your limitations and needs out of confidence in Christ’s gracious power?
ii. Do you demonstrate a flexible spirit out of confidence in God’s control over all things, God’s authority over you, and God’s presence with you?

B. Love

i. Do you have a positive approach to people because of confidence in the power and hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
ii. Do you show a servant’s heart to people because you are first and foremost a servant of the Lord?

C. Integrity

i. Are you responsible to God first and foremost?
ii. Do you demonstrate a disciplined lifestyle under the lordship of Jesus?
iii. Are your family commitments a proper priority under the Lord?

D. Spirituality

i. Do you demonstrate personal piety and vigor in your relationship with God?
ii. Do you demonstrate faithfulness to the Bible and sound doctrine?

3. Part II. Functional Qualifications of Effective Ministers: Pastoral Skill

A. Nurture

i. Do you show involved caring that comes from genuine love in Christ for your brothers and sisters?
ii. Do you counsel people the Lord’s way?
iii. Do you disciple others into maturity in Christ and use of their gifts?
iv. Do you give yourself to discipline and to patrolling the boundaries of the church which God bought with His own blood?

B. Communication

i. Do you preach the whole counsel of God?
ii. Do you provide education for God’s many kinds of people?
iii. Do you lead others to worship the Lord?

C. Leadership

i. Do you lead God’s people into effective work together?
ii. Do you administer well, creating a church that is wise in its stewardship?
iii. Do you mediate fellowship among God’s people?
iv. Do you create cooperative and team ministry within the church and between churches that honor Christ?

D. Mission

i. Do you evangelize those outside of Jesus Christ?
ii. Do you show social concern for the many needs of people whom God desires to address?

4. Conclusion

i. If you could change in one area in the next year, which would it be? Where do you most need to mature in wisdom?
ii. Now what must you do? Are there plans you must make? Prayerfully set goals. How will you become a more godly person and pastor?
iii. Are there people you must ask to pray for you and hold you accountable? Are there Bible passages or books you must study?
iv.  What changes in you would bring the greatest glory to God and greatest blessing to other people? Do you need advice from a wise Christian about how to go about changing?