Exodus 17 tells the story of a time when the Israelites were attacked by the Amalekites. Joshua led the soldiers in battle while Moses raised his his staff as he prayed for the Israelite soldiers . As long he held up his hands, the Israelites prevailed. But when his arms became weary, he dropped his hands, and the Amalakites prevailed. Aaron realized how vital Moses’ intercession was to their victory, so he and another elder came alongside Moses and held up his hands while Moses prayed. Their support made all the difference for Moses and the people of Israel.
Who supports you when you become weary?
There is perhaps no greater honor than to teach God’s Word or lead his people. Nevertheless, pastors face a number of challenges unique to their calling.
Pastors are frequently called to be with people during important, and sometimes very difficult times.
When a marriage falls apart.
When an affair is discovered.
When a child runs away from home.
When drugs or alcohol become a problem.
When the most recent funeral was for a person who took their own life.
Depending on the day, the list could go on, couldn’t it?
Sometimes you have a good idea of the way God wants you to help people through their crises. Other times, you don’t have a clue. I’ve walked in your shoes. A prominent member of the congregation died on my 30th birthday. That was the year I conducted a funeral every six weeks.
Sometimes you have a couple trusted men who stop by just to let you know you matter. Sometimes you pray that someone would stop by, but all you hear are the crickets.
I’ve walked in your shoes.
To assist pastors in their ministry, I offer:
No-cost consultation to help you talk through counseling-related issues.
Seminars and training events for you on topics of importance to your ministry.
Reduced-fee counseling for you and your staff.
Articles on ministry, counseling, and life that you can use in your church publications.
I also consult with pastors and churches team building and conflict resolution using the Taylor Johnson Temperament Analysis (TJTA), StrengthsFinder, and other effective tools.
Contact me to discuss how I might be able to assist you.
Some pastors wrestle in their personal lives. Serious marital and family conflict. Substance abuse. Pornography. These are serious “elephant in the room” problems that could mean the end of his career and calling, perhaps even his family. But he’s also afraid to talk about it with anyone. Not his wife. Not his supervisor. Not his church board. Probably not even his own dad or brother. But it’s eating him alive.
If this describes you or someone you care about, don’t struggle alone another day. Contact me for a confidential consultation to discuss your options.
