While many people think the main part of the pastor’s job is simply to preach, the Scriptures tell us that the pastor is also called to shepherd people through the suffering of life. Shepherding people, though, is a difficult thing; it gets messy. Additionally, shepherding people through the difficulties in life can expose two different types of difficult people: The … [Read more...]
Changing ideas about the cause of depression
A good deal of recent research has been published that is really interesting to anyone involved in medicine and Christian counseling. Some of it takes commonly held ideas about the cause and treatment of depression and turns them upside down.1 Other articles give some encouragement about the role of Christian counseling in helping those who struggle with sadness and depression. … [Read more...]
When a child says, “I don’t know”
The book of Proverbs reminds us that we are to disciple our children (Prov. 1:8). But to do that—to be good disciplers—we need relationships with our kids that are honest and open. We need to know what is really going on with them so we can help encourage godly thinking. But kids don’t always cooperate. Sometimes they don’t want to talk with us, and at a surprisingly young age, … [Read more...]
Preaching or counseling?
In pastoral ministry, are preaching and counseling complementary ways of proclaiming Christ? Is one more important than the other? Or is one essential and the other less so? Seminary students and pastors are by no means unanimous in their answers. Definitions matter, especially here. Preaching, as I am using it, is public ministry—the public proclamation of Jesus—in which … [Read more...]
5 myths about forgiveness
Undoubtedly in your ministry, you’ve encountered people who hold on to grudges tightly or who are embroiled in conflict. In these cases, forgiveness must be a key focus of your pastoral care. But how do you explain the biblical concept of forgiveness? As a Christian, your starting point is different from what we hear in the wider secular culture. Intentionally seeking and … [Read more...]
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