True story: At a church business meeting the Pastor was told by a deacon, “I have a knife and I plan to use it on you tonight.” Then another deacon opened the door to the church and said, “See that ambulance? I plan to put so much pressure on you tonight they take you out and put you in it.”
God willing, I desire to find hurting and struggling ministers like this brother to help and encourage them. I am calling this endeavor Redemption Ministries. My observation and experience is that many ministers are hurting and wounded, as are churches. Many churches are ailing because the ministers and staff are ailing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. If God will allow, I want to find these ministers and become a “Onesiphorus” to them (2 Tim 1:16-17). I also desire (GW) to help and encourage congregations that are troubled.
My thinking is that if God would allow me to help, support, encourage, and strengthen His under-shepherds (Ministers)… then they would better be able to do the same thing for the sheep of His pasture (Congregants)… that would result in healthier congregations… by which God is glorified.
I’m asking God to allow me to bring meaningful resources to ministers (And possibly their congregations) for comfort, healing, and restoration. In Scripture it is called “speaking the truth in love” (Eph 4:15). There will be massive doses of encouragement… affirmation… comfort… counsel… support… prayer… and practical helps I am pulling together that will be on a website soon (GW).
Why this ministry? Because I have been in difficult situations during my 23 years of pastoral ministry. Most pastors I know struggle without adequate support and resources. I have struggled alone, wept bitterly, been confused, questioned my calling, not slept, been depressed, and deeply wounded by the words and actions of others in congregations. I know what it is like to make mistakes and beat myself up because of them… AND have God comfort me through them all! Thus I want to live out what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7…
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
SDG
Well done, Ron!!! I trust all is going well! Stay in touch and may the Lord prosper this ministry as He leads you to hurting and discouraged men of God!! Keep me abreast of your ministry!!! Blessings!
God bless you Mike. I know this type ministry is on your heart too. Thank you for your prayer and help.
As a pastor I can testify to the fact that pastors need to be ministered to in this way. Who pastors your pastor? Who shepherds your church’s head shepherd? Lots of people come into my office seeking encouragement and wise counsel and asking me to pray for them but it is rare to have anyone come in my office to pray for me or encourage me. I know Ron prays for me and encourages me and gives me wise counsel and I am not even in the same denomination. I am praying with Ron that the Lord will raise him up to do this for many other pastors.
Thank you Scott. You are indeed a dear friend and brother in ministry. God bless you…
Ron, even though I have never met you, you are an awesome minister. God is always in your heart and mind to assist others when you are going through tribulant times yourself. God bless you and Ipray for you and yours every day. People take ministers for granted, never realizing the personal things they deal with other than at the church, home and elsewhere. God bless you and I will continue my prayers for you and yours.
AWESOME! To God be the glory!
Sent from my iPad
I do not know you personally, Br. Ron, but I can never tell you enough how much you have encourgaed and helped mt through your blogs. I am so thankful to get them and have so many “Keepers” among those I have received. I have no doubt that GOd has brought you to this place because of your experiences and your awareness of how to reach out to other pastors and congregations. God bless you and this ministry.