“Just beyond the boundaries of our cities is a unique lifestyle of faith and family of those who have a special connection to the land on which they live.”
Tim Beadle knows of what he speaks. He has spent the last 15 years on the road, travelling this beautiful country of Canada, checking in on rural pastors. What started out as a job turned into a burning passion to understand not just rural ministry but the pastors that God has called to minister there.
http://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.png00Marshall Eizengahttp://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.pngMarshall Eizenga2021-05-04 23:52:022021-05-05 00:09:11In praise of rural pastors: Turning Over a New Leaf by Tim Beadle book review
Pastors, we are certain that you are hearing many of the same stories we are hearing: the pandemic has been very hard on stressed marriages. Couples who had a good foundation have done quite well, some even reporting strengthened relationships from increased togetherness over the past 10 months or so, but those whose marriages were already distressed have found life even more challenging.
http://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.png00Wayne Reedhttp://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.pngWayne Reed2021-02-02 17:50:522021-02-02 17:50:52Insights for working with struggling couples
A couple of days ago, on two different occasions, trusted ministry partners shared with me that a significant portion of pastors in North America are discouraged, and even considering leaving pastoral ministry. I woke up this morning with this fact, or observation, on my mind and heart, and during morning devotions wondered if I could speak a word to any of you wrestling along such lines.
http://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.png00Darrell W. Johnsonhttp://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.pngDarrell W. Johnson2021-01-05 18:12:202021-01-05 18:34:25Don’t give up
“If someone is getting in the way of you becoming the person God created you to be or is frustrating the work God has called you to do, for you that person is toxic.”
This quote is taken from Gary Thomas’ book When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People. He wrote this book to help the reader understand the impact of toxic people in their lives. He underscores this by adding, “This book is about protecting our mission from toxic attacks even more than it’s about protecting ourselves from toxic people.”
http://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.png00Marshall Eizengahttp://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.pngMarshall Eizenga2020-09-09 18:21:572020-09-09 18:21:57Book review: When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People by Gary Thomas
Labouring to coax a stiff church to lean outward, seek renewal and step up in faith
Woman, pastor, wife and mom
Younger than all the board members and reminded of it, frequently
Life anxiety that just won’t end, even after prayer and a Bible verse
Taking up a pastorate in a congregation that “has history”
Serving, and suffering, under a bullying board or senior leader
It is quite likely that at least one, and perhaps several, of these situations sound familiar to you. Perhaps it was a time of life or ministry that was particularly challenging, stirring up an inner distress that you couldn’t shake. Perhaps it is that unwelcome, uninvited, but constant companion of anxiety that has long been part of your life.
http://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.png00Karin Gregoryhttp://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.pngKarin Gregory2020-06-30 17:08:472020-06-30 17:08:47Anxiety and the pastor
Who would have known that words like “self-isolate” and “social distancing” would become part of our vocabulary in the way that they have? It has not only become part of our vocabulary; we are living it out. I couldn’t have imagined that it would have felt wrong to shake a person’s hand while standing close enough to touch them. Even more so, that it would be a global experience!
http://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.png00Sam Doerksenhttp://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.pngSam Doerksen2020-06-02 22:50:512020-10-02 17:50:24Ministry leadership during a pandemic
One of the very complex and difficult topics that we are increasingly hearing about on our call-in line concerns the subject of homosexuality, same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria.
http://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.png00Wendy Kittlitzhttp://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.pngWendy Kittlitz2020-03-05 17:54:072020-03-05 19:04:14Navigating gender identity and sexuality in your ministry
Our dear friend, H.B. London, who has now gone home to be with the Lord, initiated Clergy Appreciation Month through Focus on the Family many years ago.
http://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.png00Focus on the Family Canadahttp://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.pngFocus on the Family Canada2019-10-09 16:44:042019-11-07 22:06:29Stories of Clergy Appreciation
Over the last while, Focus on the Family Canada’s Clergy Care counselling ministry has had more frequent calls on the topic of destructive or abusive relationships.
Goodbyes are difficult. Typically we prefer the joyous times of greeting, rather than experiencing the challenging emotions associated with leaving, even if the parting is graced with love and meaningful relationship. Leaving, it seems, is an occupational hazard for all clergy, ministers and missionaries, and seldom do we feel equipped to safely navigate the emotional whitewater rapids that accompany it. Read more
http://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.png00Steve Witmerhttp://clergycare.ca/app/uploads/2019/04/ClergyCare-2018-300x100.pngSteve Witmer2019-08-06 16:16:372019-11-07 22:06:41When is it time to leave?
