For pastors, taking care of one's own spiritual, emotional and physical needs is essential, but it's a responsibility that's often pushed aside.
The Rev. Shawn Lovejoy urged leaders at the National New Church Development Conference here Aug. 9-12 to take time for themselves.
"We bring life to everyone else at the expense of our own physical, emotional and spiritual vitality and health," he said. "If the pastor is not healthy, the church will not be healthy."
Lovejoy is pastor of Mountain Lake Church in Cumming, Ga. Speaking to the conference Aug. 11, he detailed the series of events that led …
After spending a few days at the National New Church Development Conference, the Rev. Edwin Andrade said he was leaving excited for the church of Jesus Christ.
"God is really doing amazing things and moving in powerful ways," he said. "And friends, there is more than just hope. In Jesus, there is victory."
In ministry, as in life, there are good days, happy days and "Lord, have mercy" days, said the Rev. Alice Ridgill at the opening worship of the National New Church Development Conference, here Aug. 9-12.
"Discouragement and frustration are a part of life, and they are a part of ministry — any ministry," Ridgill said. "It ebbs and it flows."