Every aspect of our lives has been tested – the landscape of our lives has undergone a radical upheaval. Living in Michigan, there have been a few times when I have experienced a “white out” while driving in a winter storm. It is completely disorienting. All the familiar points of reference disappear. This season we … Continue reading Reentry – A Pandemic Renewal Plan Part 2
Upside down and backwards – this is the way the Apollo astronauts returned to earth after their historic space flights. Upside down and backwards is likely how you are feeling right now as you reenter the “in person” world post-pandemic. Ministry life for the last 3 months has been anything but normal. All of us … Continue reading Reentry – A Pandemic Renewal Plan Part 1
The emotional challenges of ministry life are real! Few vocations rival the emotional and spiritual weight that those in ministry carry- the result of being on the front lines in the brokenness of our world. These challenges can be intense and constant. Much like those in emergency response roles (the “first responders”), the grief that … Continue reading The Weight of Ministry Life
Every once in a while, we get a glimpse of the Church doing what it was created for. Any impression or expectation that the Church was – or ever will be – perfect this side of heaven is mistaken. There is plenty of evidence of that in the letters of the Apostle Paul to the … Continue reading When the Church Shines!
“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” – 1 Timothy 4:15 One of the highest compliments I hear being given to a pastor or ministry leader is that they are “well grounded” in their teaching. It implies that they have committed themselves … Continue reading The Grounded Pastor – Patterns for a Healthy Pastoral Life, Part 3
Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (ESV) “Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.” MSG 1 Timothy 4:16 - “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will … Continue reading The Answer for Isolation & Loneliness in Ministry Life
We see it time and again. Whether you have been blindsided by a leadership decision or experienced a slow “death spiral” in a ministry role, the spiritual and emotional toll of a forced exit is great. Trauma is not too drastic of a word to use to describe what ministers and their families encounter when … Continue reading Uncovering the Trauma of Forced Ministry Exits
WE ARE GROWING! PIR(Pastor-in-Residence) Ministries welcomes new staff One of the significant prayer requests that has been running in the background of our ministry for some time has been that God would bring new staff our way. He has answered in abundance. Since January, we have welcomed on board two new Regional Directors – … Continue reading News Release from PIR Ministries
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” - C.S. Lewis It’s been a long week since my last posting. (I think I have to give up on putting myself in a “time” box.) Before we take a … Continue reading Another Reason Pastors don’t ask for help – Fear!
Last week I reposted an article by Ken Sande regarding his first hand experience with a pastor friend who burned out. This week, we hear the story of how easy it is for the spouse of a pastor to get caught in the whirlwind of ministry life and end up toasted as well. I want … Continue reading Burnout isn’t Just a Pastor Thing…
