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Faith & Fellowship Magazine Vol. 12 Caring for Your Pastor / July 2010

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:45:00 -0000

In July of 2000, after 15 years of pastoral ministry at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota, I took a new position in the CLB denominational office. For many months thereafter, even though I was working full-time, I felt like I was on an extended vacation. By Thursday or Friday of each week, our family would look at each other and say, “What are we going to do this weekend?” It was a question we had never asked in 15 years. We always knew what would occupy our time on weekends!

What was different? Stress? We loved the people of Bethel and enjoyed the church work and the city. But moving out of the ministry seemed to make a huge difference in the stress level. What is so different about the pastorate?

It is common for people in our congregations today to have high-stress jobs, maybe even high-stress lifestyles. So what is unique about pastors and their families? The hours are unpredictable. They are always on-call. Job expectations can be high, varied and sometimes unrealistic. In one sense, the pastor has as many employers as there are parishioners in the congregation. Different people can have different perceptions of what the pastor should be doing. Even those on the same church elder board may have differing opinions on their pastor’s priorities and responsibilities.

In this issue, Dr. David Veum and Mr. Nate Larsen deal with the question of why pastors, who are called to be shepherds – caregivers to the congregation, also need special care from the congregation for themselves and their families. Their two responses explore the question from different angles, one more spiritual, the other more psychological. Also in this issue, Pastor Aage Larsen has consented to have part of his sabbatical proposal printed, as an illustration of how a pastor might benefit from a sabbatical.

Paul told Timothy, “The elders… are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says…‘The worker deserves his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:17-18). I suggest that this is not only an encouragement for us to provide for our pastors financially, but it also implies a responsibility to give more direct personal support.

Brent Juliot
Editor

Announcement: Communications Ministry

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 06:59:00 -0000

Communications Ministry has felt the need to refocus and rethink our service and responsibility to the Church of the Lutheran Brethren.

Avoiding Friendly Fire

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 06:29:00 -0000

Sometimes the pastor becomes the object of our friendly fire. So what can we do to support our pastors and avoid the friendly fire?

Sabbatical Plan

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 06:21:00 -0000

The Church of the Lutheran Brethren encourages congregations to grant their pastors a sabbatical after seven years of service. As one example, Rev. Aage Larsen, pastor of Oak Ridge Lutheran Brethren Church, is currently on a three month sabbatical.

Prayer

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 02:53:00 -0000

We are all creatures of habit. Should Christians allocate a specific time each day to pray and read the Bible? Should they be consistent so that it gets to be a habit, so that if they miss a day, they feel like the day is not complete?

A Week in the Life of a Regional Pastor

Cheryl Olsen — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:53:00 -0000

The Regional Pastors are beginning to live into their roles and Cheryl Olsen writes about a week in the life of one of these Regional Pastors, who happens to be her husband...

Pastors Need Self-Care Too

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:45:00 -0000

Pastors need to be reassured that we understand at least some of the stress they are under and that it's safe for them to ask for help.

Introducing Kairos

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:10:00 -0000

A new mission-learning experience for young adults was initiated two years ago by Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kairos is for young adults who live in or are moving into the Twin Cities and want to live in an intentional discipleship community in mission.

Heroines of the Faith

Cheryl Olsen — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:31:00 -0000

Hebrews 11 lists many people whose faith ministered to and blessed generations of people. We asked women who have been active in women’s ministries to tell us about the women in their lives whom God has used to minister to them.

Regional Meetings

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:17:00 -0000

This past year saw "Districts" changing to "Regions" and amending their constitutions to reflect the amendments to the CLB constitution that were adopted a year ago at the 2009 Annual Convention.

STOP! THINK! LIFT!

Randy Mortenson — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:54:00 -0000

Psalm 46 puts into distinct contrast the refuge and strength we find in God with the violence, chaos, noise and destruction that we face in this world. “Be still, and know that I am God...”

Elder Ordination | Bethany LB Church

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:51:00 -0000

Bethany LB Church, Colfax, WI, ordained elder John Schneider and elder Mark Toycen on April 25, 2010.

Convention Information

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:48:00 -0000

We are providing resources and information to help you process and communicate what happened at this year's Convention. Enjoy the Convention page that has been created that will be updated as new media and resources are available.

Transitions and Staff Changes

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:57:00 -0000

The following are people within the CLB who have been called or hired by churches and ministries.

In Memory of...Rev. Rangen

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:47:00 -0000

Rev. Joseph "Joe" A. Rangen, age 92, died peacefully on April 24th, 2010.