Dream of a support platform for clergy

Pastor care is a project that focuses on the care of pastors in Slovakia.

As I was reflecting on all that we face as pastors in our ministry and in our personal and family lives, I learned about US-based ministry Pastor Care. What struck me most were the statistics from their surveys, and the story of how they tried, over eight years, to help 480 pastors who were showing all signs of quitting. This ministry team called every one of these pastors 3-4 times a year and also visited them at least 3 times over the whole period, and offered practical help. The result was incredible! 99% of these pastors stayed in ministry, and shared how this support improved their self-esteem, perspective and passion for their ministry.

What if we created a similar platform in Slovakia that would bring resources and solutions that are not there with our current systems of care for church pastors?

Support with no strings attached

It may sound rather ordinary but, as the story from the US confirms, it does not take much at all for pastors and those around them to be able to overcome fatigue, disgust, stress, burnout, loneliness, and other toxic threats.

I found that often all it takes is a simple honest conversation, listening and prayer. Showing interest. Asking questions. Giving acceptance and encouragement. What if we tried to mobilize and equip a number of "strategic friends"?

Supervision, coaching,mentoring

Personally, I have made progress in my ministry by meetings and talking to senior and experienced church pastors or leadership experts. What if we asked for help from those who would be willing to help us, be recognized and recommended, and be available to our pastors and lay leaders? What if we helped train proven leaders in this area? What if we found a way to naturally fund such ministries through simple generosity or by seeking and generating resources?

Professional pastoral care

There are times in life when our physical, or mental health deteriorates, and when other difficult circumstances add up to such a degree that we need to seek professional help. What if we invited proven certified therapists to work with us? What if we also had professional help available for our leaders? What if we found a model so that such help was also affordable?

Lifelong learning system

A few weeks ago, I heard a story of people who, after graduating from divinity school, went into pastor/preacher ministry. After a couple of months, they sat down and wrote down about 30 different skills they suddenly needed, but that were not part of their curriculum! I shuddered because I also had no other way but learn from my own mistakes and move forward through trial and error. What if we tried to create a system of lifelong learning that would address these gaps for clergy and lay leaders?

At different stages of life, a pastor needs different skills. This is similar also in the various stages of a church congregation's life or the type of church congregation.
We could strongly encourage church pastors and give them an opportunity to access vital education throughout their lives. If they grow, it will surely have an impact on their church and people they serve.
It would also bring new perspectives and inspiration into their lives. Perhaps also new relationships and partnerships in ministry.

It might create a fresh opportunity for our Theology and Mission Department at Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica to develop new curricula and trainings.

Equipping the church leadership

I believe that very good and helpful tools, programs and trainings are available to us today that can assist us in leading or revitalising church leaders, teams and church congregations (including NCD, Journey to Renewal, Find Your Why, various team building tools, tools in personality typology and gifting).