Main Text: I Cor. 12:12-27 (emphasis on verses 24-26)
Estimated Time: 2h
Introduction:
a) Of the pastors you know, what is the percentage of those who receive pastoral care? __________
b) What about the spouses, what would that percentage be? __________
c) What does a pastor lose when they do not allow anyone to pastor them or take care of them?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
When pastors do not have anyone to take care of them, they suffer. This suffering occurs because they do not have a safe environment to open their heart and express their pains and sorrows. The pastor cannot achieve all of his or her potential because there is no one to help overcome his or her weaknesses. They burn out easily always giving but never receiving. Often the church, the denomination and even the pastors themselves start to think that this is the way it should be, because they consider that sacrifice is an indication they are giving their life for the Lord’s flock.
Besides the pastor suffering for lack of pastoral support in their own life, who else suffers, when there is no such support? We can say that:
a) His/Her _________ suffers. Every person called by God to this ministry, if honest, will admit they easily let the ministry become a priority above their spouse. There is a saying in Brazil that the pastor has two women: their wife and their church. The same could be said for a woman pastor – she has two men in her life.
b) His/Her ______________ suffer. In many cases, the pastor’s children want to be anything but pastors! Even if they feel a call to ministry, they usually have in mind another type of ministry other than being a pastor.
c) The _______________ suffers. They do not receive pastoral care because the pastor does not know how to share what he or she has never received.
d) The ______________ suffers. When the pastor, their spouse, their children and church leaders suffer, it is impossible for the church not to suffer, too! Church members, as a rule, see the pastor as the model of a mature believer and seek to imitate their leader. This can lead the church members into the trap of ‘busyness,” which is often marked by loneliness.
e) The ______________ suffers. Jesus said that love is the behavior that convinces the world we are true disciples (Jn 13: 34-35). A pastor and church who suffer from lack of pastoral care will not attract unbelievers, and if they do come, the church may find it difficult to offer them emotional and spiritual health.
f) The _______________ suffers. When we suffer, God suffers as well. If we could see the heart of God towards his servants, in many cases we would see a broken heart. God loves his pastors so much that he feels sorry for them when they do not receive the love and care they need.
All of these relationships in the pastor’s life can be improved if the pastor receives pastoral care.
Answers: a) Spouse; b) Kids; c) Leadership; d) Church; e) World; f) Heart of God.
The biblical basis for pastoring pastors
1. Before studying the biblical basis below, write down two or three passages that you feel would be important for pastoring pastors, or passages that illustrate this concept.
a) ___________________ b) __________________ c) __________________
2. Below are four classic texts for pastoring pastors. As you read them, please identify biblical principles that underlie pastoral care for pastors.
a) John 17
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
b) Acts 20:28-31
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
c) 2 Cor. 2:12, 13 e 7:5,6
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
d) 2 Tim. 2:12
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. In addition to the above texts, there are several passages that contribute to a better understanding of the principles and characteristics of shepherding pastors. Brainstorm in your small group and identify other texts.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment