New England news & perspectives
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Persevering as a Pastor
How do we persevere in pastoral ministry? Churches should want pastors who persevere till they go on to glory or retire – and even if retired, continue to serve in some capacity until they can no longer do so. As pastors, what can we do now to ensure we persevere to the end?
The Gift of Time
I have a big extended family. Both sets of grandparents had six kids, plus some adopted kids, and just about all of those kids had three or more kids, and so on. Family reunions were massive affairs. We are a family spread all over the globe (many are missionaries), and we are a family that likes to get together as frequently as possible.
Gift Ideas for Your Pastor
It’s that time of year when many people are buying special gifts to thank those that have helped them throughout the year like their mail carrier, hairdresser, or child’s teacher. And many also consider a special gift for their pastor. As a pastor’s wife of nearly 25 years, I can say that these gifts have always been appreciated… As much as those material gifts are enjoyed, I’d like to suggest some additional gifts that I know your pastor would appreciate as well.
The power of R.E.S.T.
During the past few months, I have noticed quite a few pastors that have been blessed with much needed rest through sabbaticals. In March 2022, Barna Research reported that 42% of pastors considered resigning — up from the 29% who did the same in January 2021, according to data collected by Barna. The three biggest reasons clergy cited were “immense stress,” feelings of isolation and loneliness, and “political division,” according to Barna.
When A Pastor Should Not Leave His Church
Pastoral transitions happen. Life happens, and sometimes pastors need to move on. If not, in time our mortality will force a transition! These transitions can be extremely difficult for a pastor, his family, and for the church body. Sometimes leaving is for the better, but too often this kind of transition leaves a wake of broken hearts and missed opportunities.
The pastoral care trap
Our traditional notion of pastoral care is kryptonite to authentic church revitalization. I realize how provocative that statement is. It stirs instant hyper-alertness. When I am consulting with churches about revitalizing, this inconvenient truth, once grasped, is the most concerning for them. These churches are nervously evaluating whether they have the chutzpah to give up their myriad personal preferences and traditions, whenever necessary, to be hotly missional. That’s the second greatest threat. But the greatest threat is our desperate clinging to pastoral care.
Pastors' wives and women’s ministry leaders meet for fellowship
It is beautiful when women gather to encourage one another and worship Jesus together. The leaders of Iglesia Bautista Casa de Restauración in Lawrence, MA and Iglesia Bautista Dios con Nosotros in Glastonbury, CT, had two wonderful opportunities in April for women in their congregations to meet and fellowship.
The importance of pastors caring for each other
We live in a time of so much lack of love in our world and this seems to have seeped in to churches in general. This is true not only among members relating to other members, but in some instances, pastors relating to other pastors. It is easier to remain in our so-called relational “comfort zone”, but this usually leads to superficiality and the tendency to not seek help when help is needed. And many pastors are in need of help, the kind of help that can be found in healthy pastoral fellowship.
Vermont Snow Camp for pastors
Our BCNE Vermont Pastors and families recently shared a powerful experience together as they gathered for Snow Camp at Rumney Bible Conference Center in NH. Each family had their own room and enjoyed fellowship, food and fun in an area of stunning natural beauty that reminded them of the awe of God’s Creation.
The pastor’s pastor
The days leading up to our church planting journey are a golden haze in my memory. As soon as we experienced the first missional pull six years ago, my husband and I consumed absurd quantities of Dr. Pepper and scrambled for every pertinent book, article, and podcast in Christendom. Despite the caffeine-induced fog, one sentiment jumped out from the masses of content and wrapped itself tightly around my heart. It hasn’t budged since. In a session on marriage and missions, the trainer asked a group of hopeful church planters, “Men, who’s your pastor?” He waited. Crickets. His answer knocked the wind out of me.