I wanted to change the name of my “newsletter” from the beginning but I never could quite find the right name. I decided on “A Pastor’s Life” because that accurately portrays what I have lived through and currently still do to some degree. I also want a directional change to this Substack to help encourage hurting pastors. There are a ton of us out there who are hurting and for whatever reason many choose to remain silent. I want to reach you. Even if you’re not a pastor, I want to connect with you and I want to help you.
I am still going to write about my painful experiences in the church but I will also focus on encouragement as well. I know many of you resonate with what I am saying regardless of where you are in the ministry. There will always be a group of “Bitter Bettys” out there to make sure that you suffer from time to time. I want to help you overcome that. I am not there yet but I am on the road to recovery and it feels good. There is always hope in Christ. You may not be able to see it now but He is there and He loves you. Sometimes we just need to hear that truth.
I also have people who are not in ministry reach out to me and thank me for writing. They also encourage me as well. Christians are supposed to be family, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We should strive to live according to God’s Word and be at peace with one another.
Romans chapter twelve is a great passage on “Christian Living”. I can remember going into our local Lifeway Bookstore and laughing at the four aisles of the Christian Living section. I wanted to shout out to the customers “just read your bibles!”. Paul writes in Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” NIV 1984
That is totally doable IF Christians want to do it. IF we put aside the worship of ourselves. IF we come under the authority of Christ and His Word. Those are only a few “IF’s” and there are more but you get the idea. Or, maybe the majority do not and that is why I write what I do.
Let me also introduce you to Tom Friedrichs who is a pastoral coach and is currently working on a retreat area for pastors to be able to get away. You can view Tom’s website: Tom's Ministry
My email is: revdoran@gmail.com
Have a blessed day.