At the 9Marks blog, Aaron Menikoff commends a model of pastoral presence which he calls thick-skinned and tender-hearted. It speaks of resiliently and patiently bearing with people with loving character. This guards against the burnout that can come from impatient over-sensitivity. His conclusion: Let’s work hard to avoid such pitfalls. The members of our church …
Ministry is not the hardest thing anyone can do. But it has a unique character; and a particular aspect of that character needs a particular awareness in order to go the long-term. From Jeff Robinson at Crossway blog. Jesus said it best in John 15:5: Apart from me you can do nothing. As a pastor, …
John Starke writes about pastoring during a season of depression. And a source of encouragement through that time. I began to notice that I wasn’t just sad or discouraged about my circumstances. Something was different. There was a darkness that had set in. My sorrow and discouragement began to wrap around me and squeeze. It …
Kevin DeYoung reflects on Second Corinthians 11:28 “apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” Pastoral life brings what Paul characterises as “anxiety,” and DeYoung is at pains (as is Paul) not to be seeking pity, or to make out that this anxiety is worse …
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