Adding my voice to the chorus of "Great Advice!" I wish that all seminaries required their students to engage in therapy as part of their training for ministry. I was that student who needed it and didn't know it -- and thanks be to God that he found a way to get me in there anyway!
When I matriculated at TEDS way back in 1976, each new student had to take the MMPI, which was scored by a professional, and we were asked, not required, to meet with the gentleman who scored them. Chuck DeGroat totally agrees with you.
Thanks, Mike. I've been doing all the things you mention and add Spiritual Direction and regular Spiritual Disciplines to the list. Yet, even when doing all the right things, the weight of pastoring a church and attempting to make disciples with all the expectations of our consumer society and being under resourced, under staffed - it can be crushing. God help us.
All good advice. On a minor point: As a frequent visitor to the States from Down Under I was bemused with the expectation that board members are seen as fundraisers. This always seemed a potential interest conflict. Here in Oz it’s more common to structure this within the team reporting to the CEO/Pastor and free the Board to govern.
Adding my voice to the chorus of "Great Advice!" I wish that all seminaries required their students to engage in therapy as part of their training for ministry. I was that student who needed it and didn't know it -- and thanks be to God that he found a way to get me in there anyway!
When I matriculated at TEDS way back in 1976, each new student had to take the MMPI, which was scored by a professional, and we were asked, not required, to meet with the gentleman who scored them. Chuck DeGroat totally agrees with you.
I did the MMPI as well. It was helpful. Just not sufficient!
Thanks, Mike. I've been doing all the things you mention and add Spiritual Direction and regular Spiritual Disciplines to the list. Yet, even when doing all the right things, the weight of pastoring a church and attempting to make disciples with all the expectations of our consumer society and being under resourced, under staffed - it can be crushing. God help us.
Good "stuff," Mike.
Thank you for writing this post, as well as for living your life in such a way so that you've acquired the wisdom you've shared herein.
Excellent advice , thank you
All good advice. On a minor point: As a frequent visitor to the States from Down Under I was bemused with the expectation that board members are seen as fundraisers. This always seemed a potential interest conflict. Here in Oz it’s more common to structure this within the team reporting to the CEO/Pastor and free the Board to govern.