Guiding Pastors into God's Presence
Pastoral care is not just about helping pastors and their spouses survive and thrive in ministry. Pastoral care is about guiding pastors and their spouses into the presence of God for God’s sake. We don’t exist simply to make survivors out of ministers. We exist that God would be glorified and pleased with the lives of pastors.
If we emphasize Sabbath Rest for pastors, and we do, it is so pastors would enter into that sanctuary of time where they might truly enjoy God and lead God’s people into that same joy of knowing Him.
If we develop a network of friends to pastors, and God willing we will, it is so pastors may see themselves through the eyes of another and humbly make adjustments which please God.
Pastoral care is about guiding pastors and their spouses into a deeper love relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That’s the bottom line of pastoral care.
Welcome Kelley & Jola Johnson
NCD Pastoral Care is pleased to introduce Kelley & Jola Johnson of Hector, MN, to district pastors and churches. Kelley is now serving as a Pastoral Care Assistant with Jim Anderson, Pastoral Care Director. For the last year, Kelley and Jola have been assisting Jim and Lois in an unofficial capacity with Sabbath Rest retreats. Kelley and Jola bring true servant’s hearts to their work with NCD pastors, their families and their churches. Click here to read more about the Johnsons.
Pastoral Care Offerings
Prayer Means Care - For this reason the Pastoral Care initiative for 2008 encourages every pastor to develop a prayer team. Lois and I discovered years ago that devout believers who were willing to pray with us and for were essential to our spiritual wellbeing and longevity in ministry. Pastor Chris Johnson remembers the day he said, “If only I would have had a prayer team.” Click here to read an article by Pastor Chris Johnson on Prayer Teams.
Sabbath Retreats – These seminars equip and motivate pastoral couples to enjoy a weekly Sabbath experience in their ministry settings. Dennis Wadsworth, Senior Pastor of Hope EFC in Fertile, Minnesota attributes his joy in ministry to his weekly Sabbath time.
"I love being a
Pastor. I really do and I realize that I do not always feel
this way. Pastoral ministry can be very difficult at time. I can be
emotionally draining, time consuming, physically demanding, and sometimes it can
crush me spiritually. In seminary we were counseled to 'keep on keeping
on' through difficult times and remember our call from God. The primary
thing that reminds me of that call is the connection I experience with Him
during my regular Sabbath time. Right now in ministry that is very
important to me but there are other benefits as well."
Peace be with you,
Dennis Wadsworth
Lois and I invite you to join us at our next Sabbath Retreat, August 25-26. Discover for yourself what Dennis is talking about. For another perspective on the effectiveness of Sabbath Rest, click here to read an article by Pastor Jeff Brown of Grace Community Church in Olivia.
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“Every pastor, leader, and congregation needs to stop and consider what place Sabbath Rest takes practically and consistently in your life and church.”
“Helpful instructions from Scripture regarding resting in Christ: and a time to Practice the Presence of God.” “This will be a welcome rest and time of renewal. You will come away with a refreshed spirit and greater hope for experiencing God’s best.” “Here’s an opportunity for you to learn how to “sit at the feet of Jesus.” It’s something you need to make a priority in your life if you want to know God and His Son better and to learn of His purpose for you. It’s refreshing, motivating, rejuvenating!” “Focused time with God is needed to survive.” “This is an idea whose time has come. Everyone needs to learn this concept. It is something you will use again and again.” “Here is a way to put life, hope, and ministry in tune with Christ. It’s different from others in that it’s not more on a “to do” list. It’s taking things off the plate to ensure only the best is rest.” |
Friends to Pastors Network – 70% of pastors surveyed indicate that they do not have someone they consider a close friend. Friends to Pastors Network is a ministry devoted to identifying, developing, and connecting mature believers who will serve as long term friends to pastors. Still in its early stages, this ministry links pastors to friends who listen to, care for, and pray with pastors and their wives.
Pastoral Care Team - A team of Pastoral Care Pastors are located throughout the district. These caring individuals are familiar with the unique challenges facing pastoral families. View a list of pastors currently available to meet with pastors in their geographical areas. Depending on the situation some of their wives are also available to meet with pastors’ wives.
