As a pastor of a congregation with young families you may have small groups, a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) ministry, Awana, and more. Your church may also be blessed to have a meals ministry to help individuals and families after a surgery or birth of a child. Your church is probably well equipped with support ministries for families to help disciple their children and to … [Read more...]
Pastoral care and refuge for rape victims
In this article we follow Tory Flynn’s heart-wrenching story of being raped and the unexpected aftermath that God orchestrated in her life. As we hear from Tory (indented text), we also receive expert commentary from Dr. Diane Langberg, a specialist in ministering to people who have been traumatized. Tory’s story begins I was twenty-one and a senior in college. I went … [Read more...]
How your pastoral limitations can bless your churches
When most of us first start out in ministry vocationally, it’s because we love the Lord. Jesus is lovely to us, and His grace is marvelous to us. We can’t imagine anything greater than coming home to God. But oftentimes, as we go through life as ministers, all the “other stuff” (church duties, our platforms, etc.) begins to crowd in and take our first love away. And we’re … [Read more...]
How one church offered hope to a same-sex struggler
Melissa Fisher grew up in a churchgoing home, but her childhood included family turmoil, her parents’ divorce, and sexual violations that she kept secret. While attending a Christian college, she faced her same-sex attraction (SSA) and fought against it but became involved in same-sex relationships. Eventually, she left the church and married her female partner. Her book, The … [Read more...]
How to restore broken marriages after an affair, part 2
In part 1 of this case study, Dr. Les Carter outlined how to counsel “Bob and Jane” through the discovery process after Bob’s infidelity was revealed and what signs indicate a couple is ready to begin a restoration process. In this article, Dr. Carter describes typical issues couples must focus on to rebuild a new relationship and how to follow up with a couple when formal … [Read more...]
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