“I know the hardships of being a working man [on a low income] without drug problems,” shares Tony, “and there’s really no housing situation out there for someone like that. If I had drinking and drug issues, then I could show up at shelters and participate and have a place to sleep. But I’m paying my child support; I’m not causing any problems.” “I was homeless for two … [Read more...]
This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be: Shepherding through tragic, untimely loss
Most churches are well equipped to help families when they experience expected, chronologically correct deaths. When Grandma Jones, age eighty-eight, “goes to be with Jesus,” certain protocols automatically spring into place. The pastor meets with the family, the prearranged funeral arrangements are utilized, and the obituary the family has been working on for a while is … [Read more...]
3 mistakes pastors make in counseling
You have a very challenging job. You must develop skills in administration, preaching, teaching, evangelism, leading worship, and discipling people through trials in their lives (pastoral counseling). This last responsibility might be the most challenging of these responsibilities for a variety of reasons. Here are some ways to improve your role as a counselor: Mistake #1: … [Read more...]
What is CareLeader.org?
“Moses’ father-in-law said to him, ‘What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.’” Exod. 18:17–18 ESV If you enjoy pastoral care, or you struggle with it, you weren’t designed to do it alone (Eph. 4:11–12). But realizing that doesn’t make your pastoral … [Read more...]
Painful hindsight: 6 pastoral lessons learned from a sex abuse scandal
I recently learned that a missionary whom I have known and trusted for twenty years has, for his entire adult life, been a sexual predator. He was respected, even revered, both by churches in the US and by thousands of people in the field. He used his position of power, influence, and trust to take advantage of women sexually. My wife and I made an emergency trip to the region … [Read more...]