Health

Ask Dave Ferguson the question about how you can simply keep track of your health as a leader and he will most likely reply “RPMS”. OK, that’s settled. But What does Dave actually mean?

Before we go there, it’s worth considering the frequently stated adage that “we minister out of who we are, rather than out of what we do”. A leader’s health matters. Whether you are involved in planting a church, leading one or leading a ministry, your health matters.

The 2023 Oxygen Christian Workers Survey by Valerie Ling revealed alarming rates of burnout and stress among ministry workers in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore:

• 1 in 3 ministry workers who took the survey seriously considered leaving their role in the past year
• Of those, half were also considering leaving ministry altogether
• 42% reported experiencing distress severe enough to affect their sleep and daily functioning
• 26% scored in the moderate-to-severe depression range
• 14% scored in the moderate-to-severe anxiety range
• 35% are experiencing exhaustion at “sometimes” frequency or higher
• The top reasons for considering leaving are job stress (57%), family impact (53%) and loneliness (35%)
• 43% experienced conflicts or quarrels in the past year that are still causing them distress

Annie Layton from Partners in Ministry believes that in addressing these issues, whilst pastoral supervision is important, creating and functioning in a supportive environment is also necessary. She says that:

“As the wider Church, we have a responsibility to walk alongside injured ministers, helping them lay down blame, burdens, shame, and unrealistic expectations. We must create cultures where honest conversations are welcomed and spiritual care works alongside trusted professionals to support healing and restoration.”

The health and well-being of those in ministry is a critical issue that can’t and shouldn’t be ignored. Dave Ferguson in his new book “Multiplier: How Healthy Leaders Create Lasting Impact” writes about a simple daily self-check that he has been doing for years. It’s called RPMS.

Dave writes:

The RPMS serve as a dashboard that helps you measure the same four areas Jesus prioritized in his own personal development. Luke 2:52 says, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

 The RPMS Dashboard covers four health domains:

• RELATIONAL: growing in favour with man
• PHYSICAL: growing in stature
• MENTAL: growing in wisdom
• SPIRITUAL: growing in favour with God

Dave recommends four simple steps that will take only a few minutes every day to do a RPMS church.

First, draw the RPMS dashboard, like the speedometer in a car.

Second, reflect on the RPMS. Dave in his book suggests that we ask questions like the following:

• RELATIONAL: Are my closest relationships life-giving? Who needs more of my time or attention?
• PHYSICAL: Am I eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep to feel energized?
• MENTAL: Am I guarding my mind? How am I feeling? Am I dwelling on what’s true and good (Philippians 4:8)?
• SPIRITUAL: Am I hearing from God and responding with obedience? Am I living on mission?

Third, measure the RPMS. Dave writes:

Here’s what the gauges mean:

• Full: Thriving. Strong and consistent.
• 3/4 Full: Solid but room to improve.
• 1/2 Full: Something’s off. Pay attention.
• 1/4 Full: Warning lights on. Needs focused work.
• Empty: Red zone. You need help now.

Then comes the fourth step – improve on the RPMS. Dave suggests that we ask two critical questions and respond as follows:

1. What is God saying to me in each area?
2. What will I do about it – today?

Let God speak into your R, P, M, and S:

• R: “God, what do you want for me relationally?”
• P: “What do you want for me physically?”
• M: “What do you want for me mentally?”
• S: “What do you want for me spiritually?”

Listen for what the Holy Spirit is saying. Make a plan. Take a step. Adjust daily. Multipliers live with wisdom and intentionality because they know they reproduce who they are.

Staying healthy as a leader is critical; critical to you the leader, to your family and to your church. Unhealthy leaders will not lead health churches.

The leader’s health and well-being is also critical to the mission Jesus has given you. It provides a foundation from which you can launch into healthy disciple making and multiplication mission. Over the next few weeks we will explore some of Dave Ferguson’s wisdom from “Multiplier: How Healthy Leaders Create Lasting Impact” for how you can go about this.