Ministry Begins with Rest We’ve been providing care, counsel, and prayer to pastors and other servants of Christ for a number of years. One of the most important things… Continue Reading
Vicarious Trauma in Ministry If you’re caring for people that have been traumatized or are in crisis then you’re suffering with them vicariously. If you’re a pastor, you probably… Continue Reading
Trying to Grow My Church Drained My Soul “As a senior pastor I was trying to be someone I was not,” writes Pete Scazzero. “I attended conferences and read books about growing a… Continue Reading
How Church Can Hurt or Help Faith Without a friend who feels our hurt, stress, and longings with us our souls shrivel up and die. Giving and receiving empathy are key to life in Christ. Continue Reading
When Henri Nouwen Couldn’t Feel God’s Love The warmth of God’s presence can be elusive. In his secret journal, Henri Nouwen is vulnerable about a dark season in which he couldn’t feel… Continue Reading
The Secret of Jesus’ Easy Yoke A friend of mine was quite late for his appointment with me. He finally arrived breathless as he explained to me that 24 hours in… Continue Reading
Poured Out for Others, Yet Full of Jesus “My life is being poured out like a drink offering for you,” Paul wrote to a church he planted (Philippians 2:17, paraphrased). You know this… Continue Reading
6 Ways to Finish Well as a Christian Leader In Dr. Bobby Clinton’s study of 3,500 leaders for Christ, it was found that only one-third of leaders finished well. Many drop out (usually due to… Continue Reading
Getting the Gorilla of Guilt Off Your Back! At a coffee meeting, Pastor Sean lamented to me, “Another key leader left my church. I’ll probably never see him again.” “Why do you say that?”… Continue Reading
Pastors Who Fall Safely My former pastor Bill Hybels did not learn how to fall safely. We all fall down in life, but have we learned to fall safely?… Continue Reading