 If you are a spiritual leader within the body of Christ today, you have received a high calling indeed. You are also in for one rough ride. According to recent studies, 1 out of every 4 pastors is experiencing burnout today, and approximately 40 percent of pastors have considered leaving their ministries in the last three months alone.1 Some sources indicate that as many as 1500 of these pastors actually do leave public ministry each month.2 Needless to say, ministry is hard!While the challenges facing church leaders today are considerable, they are by no means unique to this generation. Spiritual leaders throughout history have faced similar obstacles, and God-given opportunities for personal and spiritual renewal have helped to sustain their lives and ministries as well. God provided a desert oasis and a team of 70 elders to help Moses carry the burden of leading the nation of Israel (Nu 11). God provided a cave where David could find refuge from his enemies (1 Sa 22). God provided a mountain retreat where Elijah could find strength to complete his mission (1 Ki 19). And God provided a seaside sanctuary where Peter's hope was gently yet resolutely restored by the risen Lord (Jn 21).
Like Moses, David, Elijah and Peter, every spiritual leader today needs a place where he or she can retreat from the world and recover from the spiritual battle, a sacred and solitary place where rest and renewal are readily available. The Center for Spiritual Renewal at Barclay College offers just such a place for church leaders and their families. We are committed to honoring those who work hard on our behalf (1 Th 5:12) by providing opportunities for these leaders to experience personal and professional renewal in the midst of a supportive Christian community. Our goal is to alleviate the impact of stress and burnout among spiritual leaders and to help these men and women sustain effective, lifelong ministry in and through the body of Christ.
As you browse this website, we pray that you will find something that will encourage you to "press on" in your journey with Jesus. May the Lord bless you and keep you as you continue to follow hard after Him ... the best is yet to come!
Agape,
Dave
David O. Williams, D.Min.
Director of the Center for Spiritual Renewal at Barclay College
607 N. Kingman Haviland, KS 67059
Phone: 620.862.5252, ext. 26
Toll Free: 800.862.0226
Fax: 620.862.5242
*see attached bio. for additional background information
1See Pastors at Greater Risk by H.B. London and Neil Wiseman (Regal, 2003)
2See Extreme Church Makeover by Neil Anderson and Charles Mylander (Regal, 2005) |
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