Spiritual Management
The Shepherd’s Consultant: Guiding leaders with expert advice back to the Heart of God
Billy Graham said upon one occasion concerning a Pastor, “The most important characteristic of any Pastor is a heart for God—a deep desire to live for Christ and to see others come to know Him and serve Him.” The responsibility that one assumes when they have been called to Pastor or Shepherd the lives of people is not without burden or stress. Many people underestimate the weight of the Pastoral Mantle, and from the outside can underestimate the sacrifice one makes in answering this call. Even those who have been in ministry for many years can testify that, just because one is charged with caring for the flock of God, it is not without its challenges and personal sacrifices, many times at the expense of their own marriages and families. Even the most hermeneutically astute Shepherd, has their Elijah moment when the weight and responsibility of this Divine Calling, can cause even the seasoned Shepherd to want to run and hide in a cave. Pastors are met with Criticism inside and outside the four walls of the church. They struggle with Rejection within their congregations, as well as issues of rejection they may personally grapple with internally. Issues of Betrayal are common and can lead to feelings of Isolation and Loneliness because of the responsibility they acquire when they heed the call of discipleship. The feeling of Weariness is not foreign to those who Shepherd as the position is much like that of a Hospital Emergency room; on-call 24 hours per day. It is not uncommon for Pastors to struggle with setting healthy boundaries and limits, as they may often feel as though they lack appropriate help within leadership to carry the burden. While it’s heart-breaking, but not surprising, many Pastors and leaders within ministry secretly struggle with depression. There is a false and unrealistic expectation that they are to hear from God every second of the day. This false expectation has made it virtually impossible for Pastors to openly acknowledge that they too struggle with “Depression.” Depression that often times has underlying issues rooted in Frustration and Disappointment. Where does the healer go when they need to be healed? It is idealistic and cliché to say “I go to God in Prayer.” Although, prayer is powerful, there are moments when the Shepherd needs a tangible shoulder to cry on, or an honest non-judgmental ear to hear their heart. Unlike a lay person, a Pastor cannot share their personal trials with just anyone. They must guard their calling. The fear of “Betrayal,” or the “Judas Kiss,” is a reality many people may not consider when it comes to understanding the struggles that many Pastors feel. Honestly, there may be reluctance or hesitation to confide in another Pastor for fear of shame, condemnation, or negative exposure. Additionally, the traditional approach of seeking out mental health treatment still carries a stigma for many people. For some Pastors, their spouse becomes that confidant. However, that burden can impact the quality of relationship within that marital partnership, and the spouse may not be equipped to handle the weight of that burden. What about the single Pastor, who may be single by choice, by death or even by divorce? Who can they talk to? The answer is The Shepherd’s Consultant: Guiding leaders with expert advice back to the heart of God.