Dr. Mark Shaw, an ordained minister, certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor, and certified biblical counselor, shared valuable insights with me in a recent interview to help pastors who are caring for people with drug addictions.1 1. What initial issues should pastors be aware of when they first hear a person in the church is struggling with a drug addiction? The … [Read more...]
3 ways to maintain sanity in ministry
The thrill of God’s victories For those called by the Lord into ministry—whether it’s vocational or volunteer—there are incredible opportunities to see God at work in the lives of His people. What other thrills in life can compare to someone seeing his need for Christ and surrendering himself to his Savior? Or what other thrills in life can compare to witnessing a Christian … [Read more...]
Confessions of a poor listener
Time is precious; I’m sure you agree. Only so many hours in a day to get everything done—attending a men’s Tuesday morning Bible study, getting ready for Wednesday’s prayer meeting and fellowship meal, studying for Sunday’s sermon, exorcising the copier’s demons, etc. So, when Mrs. Smith “drops in” to see how I’m doing, surely you can appreciate the challenge I face. Mrs. Smith … [Read more...]
Hospital and nursing home visitation tips
Being a shepherd means being with your sheep through whatever transpires in their lives—birthdays, weddings, job transitions, and the declines evident in old age. When someone in your congregation loses the ability to live on his or her own, nursing home care might be needed. Brian Morphonios, a full-time nursing home chaplain in North Carolina, offers hospital visitation tips … [Read more...]
How pastors can help the depressed
Think about the recent personal conversations you’ve had with troubled people. Do any of them sound like these testimonies from Arlene and Greg?1 Arlene “It was really hard to get out of bed in the morning. I just wanted to hide under the covers and not talk to anyone. I didn’t feel much like eating, and I lost a lot of weight. Nothing seemed fun anymore. I was … [Read more...]