Encouragement

Pastor, are you feeling discouraged? Worthless? Struggling to stay motivated? Here’s a nugget of truth from Dr. James Dobson to help you fight against those negative feelings:

“…we can’t depend on our feelings and passions to govern our lives or assess the world around. Emotions are unreliable – biased – whimsical. They lie as often as they tell the truth. They are manipulated by hormones – especially in the teen years – and they wobble dramatically from early morning, when we’re rested, to the evening, when we’re tired. One of the evidences of emotional maturity is the ability (and the willingness) to overrule ephemeral feelings and govern our behaviour with the intellect and the will.”
(When God Doesn’t Make Sense by Dr. J. Dobson, p 47)

Remember: when discouragement sets in, consider your thoughts against the truths in Scripture. Often our thoughts are un-truths and the burdens of these lies weigh us down. The truth is that you are God’s precious and holy child, deeply treasured solely for who you are and not what you can accomplish for Him!

The Clergy Care Network is pleased to provide Focus on Pastors (formerly the Signpost), a monthly e-newsletter for pastors. Each issue contains bites of information, resources, and encouragement that is directly relevant to the needs and ministry of Canadian pastors.

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Soak up the words of people who have lived the ministry life. These articles are sure to inspire and encourage . . .
Article archive for the Pastor
Article archive for the Pastor's Wife
Article archive for the Woman Pastor

Pastor, you and your family are called by God to a unique, challenging, and exciting path in life. As a Shepherd to God's people, your life path is one of great privilege, honour, joy, and work with eternal value. You have chosen to serve, lead, love and nurture God's people and to lead them closer to Him. We hope that you have experienced some of the deep satisfaction and fulfillment of doing this work.

However, being a spiritual leader also involves putting yourself in the way of Satan's arrows and fiery darts. Satan knows that if he can attack and destroy a pastor or his family, he can also affect families in the congregation, the community, and our country at large. As a pastor, you are at greater risk for attacks from the enemy. Satan will try to distract you in subtle ways: he may discourage you from spending time with your family, confuse your priorities, allow busyness to overtake time praying and reading Scripture, or inject your heart with discouragement and feelings of hopelessness. "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
(1 Pet. 5:8)

Being in ministry in the 2nd millennium also poses new and greater risks and challenges for those in ministry. H.B.London, Jr. and Neil B. Wiseman in their book, Pastors at Greater Risk, explain the added pressures facing clergy today:

"The prevailing crisis among pastors is crystal clear. Contemporary spiritual leaders are under a twofold assault- one within and one without. Inside the Church, the snares of secularism entrap many believers. Daily, pastors deal with diluted dedication, family disintegration, superficial commitments and an accepted church consumerism no longer interested in sacrifice, suffering or servanthood"

Outside the Church, pastors face a new dark age where success is king and real faith issues are far down the average person's priority list after the PTA meeting, latest video releases, Little League game or weekend diversion."(page 29, 30)

At Focus on the Family Canada, we value the incredible work, dedication, and sacrifices of pastors and their families. At the same time we realize that there are challenges, stumbling blocks, and discouragements along the way.

Know that you are not alone in your struggles. Generations and centuries of pastors before you have also become spiritually fatigued and have been surrounded by stresses related to serving the Lord. And this very day even, thousands of pastors world-wide stand with you, experiencing similar pressures and challenges. "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Pet 5:9) While you may not consider your current work as "sufferings", take comfort in realizing that many others are facing similar experiences in the ministry.

Pastors, you don't need to walk this winding and often stony path alone! God has exquisitely created us all to function together as part of His greater body. As Moses and Aaron learned, the battle cannot be won alone. It is much easier to remain faithful and energized when there is support by your side.

The Clergy Care Network is intended to be an aid and helpmeet for you in ministry. We know that some of you are wounded, weary, broken, and bleeding. We invite you and your immediate family members to contact us for support, information, referrals, counselling, and prayer.

Press on, Pastors! Jesus is running the race alongside you; in the end you will be able to bow and humbly say to your Saviour, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7)

Our toll-free phone line is answered by Master's level, professionally trained Christian counsellors. Our phone line is free and is for Pastors and any of their immediate family members. Your call is confidential and no one from your church or denomination will know that you have called. You can choose to remain anonymous.

We provide:

• Consultation
• Counselling
• Prayer
• Encouragement
• Resources
• Retreat information
• Referrals to professionals in your area
• Guidance on an issue facing your family, staff, church, or congregation members

For more information on the Clergy Line,
see our FAQ's page.