Copyright Dr. Penny Nelson Freeman, 2024
This story began because of an accident in the summer of 2016. Thankfully my ribs are healed, but my spine is degenerating faster than I like, and pain is far more of a daily experience. This story chronicles growth as I learn how to manage my health as I age (although those who know me better than I know myself would say I still need to learn to stop moving furniture by myself). I see many my age still able to ‘do,’ and I wouldn’t be honest if I said I don’t envy them.
Copyright Laura Andrews, 2024
I didn’t attend a Christian school growing up, but I’ve heard stories about how chaperones at school dances would approach couples who were dancing too closely to remind them to “leave room for the Holy Spirit.” We chuckle at this, but I think the suggestion is appropriate in our difficult relationships, especially those where we have been hesitant to allow or create distance. A lack of “room” can make it harder to remember that there is a third “person” present.
One possible starting place is this question: What do you believe about God’s role and responsibilities in your relationships?
Copyright Joe Bruni, 2024
Not too long ago, I was talking to a ministry leader friend who had been through the ringer during the last few years. He was tired and had a sense of decision fatigue after navigating the tumultuous months and years of a pandemic, the culturally polarizing dynamics among his people during an election cycle, and a pastoral response to the concern for justice for racial and cultural minorities. He even felt beat up and betrayed by a group of people in his ministry who made accusations against him and left…
Copyright Laura Andrews, 2023
Ask several people how they feel about their plans to be with loved ones over the holidays and you will likely get a spectrum of reactions ranging from the positive—excitement and gratitude—to the negative, like apprehension, dread, apathy, or discouragement. Many might even express mixed feelings because their affection for those they see doesn’t override the painful interactions generated by their time together.
Over the years I’ve noticed that this relational pain is often the result of two common experiences…
Copyright Esther Frustino, 2023
Is someone you love planning an upcoming return from the mission field? Perhaps you are preparing to welcome a missionary family back to your congregation or an adult child back home from a season abroad. Returning from an extended time overseas can be deeply challenging for both the missionary and the family (or church family) receiving them.
In my last blog post, I discussed five tips I wished someone had shared with me while I transitioned back into American culture after living in Italy for two years. In this post, I speak primarily to those of you receiving loved ones back – whether family members, friends, or members of your congregations. May these suggestions empower you to best connect with loved ones during the difficulties of re-entry and set you apart as a source of support…
Dave Wiedis, Copyright 2014
It is a sad and uncomfortable fact: Pastors and ministry leaders struggle with the same temptations and sinful inclinations as “lay” people. Although we long to have pastors who are filled with unwavering faith, have model marriages and families, provide strong leadership, and deliver excellent expository preaching, the reality is that our pastoral leaders are human, and they struggle just like the rest of us.
Joe Bruni, Copyright 2020
The battle for our attention is an issue for everyone, but it is especially important for those in ministry leadership. Virtually everything in our culture--social media, entertainment, sports, advertisements, activities--demands our attention, and when not handled with care, results in distraction and disconnection from ourselves, families, congregations, and friends. Especially for those in ministry leadership, the expectations to be constantly available, have it all together, and wear multiple hats--often including preacher, counselor, organizational leader, building/operations foreman and even janitor--already put them at risk for complete physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion. How we handle the multiple demands for and distraction of our attention will, over time, make or break our health, flourishing, and effectiveness in our callings.
Ann Spooner, Copyright 2020
For many weeks now, we have repeatedly heard the importance of social distancing for the sake of ourselves and others. This is necessary and wise counsel. However, it can lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness. Even as we begin to see more friends and family, not being able to hug them can still leave a void.
Joe Bruni, Copyright 2020
All of us are experiencing loss in one way or another. Many of us are experiencing first-hand the loss and grief that COVID brings. For those of you who are ministry leaders, this time of uncertainty has likely brought even more stress as you pour yourselves out to the needs of the individuals you shepherd. Jesus experienced something similar.
Jon Sovocool, Copyright 2020
The COVID-19 quarantine has greedily robbed us of many things that are important to us: people we love, jobs we need, activities we enjoy. Even our experience of what remains “untouched” by the quarantine can at times be tainted. Why is this? Let’s examine some of those factors underpinning this difficult season and what we can do to shift our experience.
Laura Nagy, MS RD LDN CPT, Certified Wellness Coach, Copyright 2020
Raise your hand if you’ve noticed some increased stress in your life these days. I’m raising mine high! It is difficult to avoid some feeling of uncertainty as we navigate the changing circumstances of our world today. For many of you who are ministry leaders, this time of uncertainty may bring even more stress as you pour yourselves out to the needs of the individuals you shepherd.
Updated: 4/17/2020, By Dave Wiedis
As all of us make the difficult adjustment to “social distancing” requirements and begin to feel the weight of this tremendous, sudden change, we would like to serve as a point of connection for ministry leaders. We have started this online forum to share resources that we have found and provide a place for you to comment with additional resources, questions, ideas, and video links.
Excerpt from Kingdom Culture: Uncovering the Heart of What Empowers Teams by Bruce Lengeman, Copyright 2017
Ruthie and I continue to be stunned by how many leaders we meet or chat with who are into their own agendas, their own opinions and ideas, and give testimony of themselves—even if it seems to be in the name of God—and don’t even think to show value, care or interest in our hearts and lives. Behind this I sense two things: one, that some of them are overconfident and actually think they deserve to talk more than others because what they say is more valuable than what others say. Two is that they feel inadequate, and their self-promotion is a cover for their own inadequacy.
Interview by Leah Dixon, Copyright 2019
It’s hard to underestimate the impact of traveling around the world to spend time with people. From my perspective, I feel rather insignificant and ask myself, “Who am I?” From their perspective it’s “Oh my gosh. You have spent money to be here, you have taken your time to be with us, and you care about us.” Ministering to 30 people sounds so insignificant, but on the other level it’s not. Some of them will go on for the next 50 or 60 years to share the gospel, minister to people and make a tremendous impact in the lives of tens of thousands of people! It is such a privilege to serve them.
Interview by Leah Dixon, Copyright 2019
The ministry of a pastor in many ways is 24/7. You’re always on: Preaching inspiring sermons, leading with a compelling vision, managing effective strategic planning, building a healthy staff team, raising money, performing funerals, making hospital visits, counseling, confronting critical issues, absorbing criticism and engaging in ongoing learning. The demand is relentless.
And in our culture we idolize hard work. Many people in ministry are burning out or flaming out [moral failure]. It’s an epidemic. Over time people [in ministry] keep doing what is right, but they don’t have passion anymore. They are working out of fear. They feel stuck and wonder, What else am I going to do? I never want to just go through the motions. I want to have passion!
Bill Smith, Copyright 2019
An assistant pastor described the ministry culture he used to work in by telling me, “My former senior pastor isolated the staff from each other and kept each of us dependent on him.”
Have you ever worked in an environment like that? How about one where the team leader was prickly and unapproachable? Or one where people used what they knew of you to control you. Or one where a staff divided into warring factions?
There are lots of ways to describe unhealthy team cultures—toxic, crushing, dysfunctional, draining, demoralizing—cultures that drive people away from you and pit them against each other. But how do you build the opposite?
Laura Nagy, Copyright 2019
When you sit back and think of your well-being…what comes to mind? Your mental wellness? Emotional wellness? Spiritual wellness? Physical wellness? There are so many versions of “well-being” that we could focus on, but what if I told you that they are actually all connected? The latest research shows us that what we do with our physical bodies affects our mental state, and our mental state is deeply connected to our emotional state. Think of the feeling of mental sharpness you get after a good night’s sleep. It isn’t a coincidence!
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