Pastor Search # 11 The Wounded Warriors

While searching on a church website recently I saw a link for "Injured Ministers". This link offered support and help for those men and women who have been wounded by churches. This caught my attention because I have so many friends who are carrying baggage caused by very difficult pastorates and sometimes ungodly church members. I was pleased to find this help and encourage more support to assist those who are hurting. I especially am thinking about a couple of my peers who have left the ministry because of unpleasant and very hurtful situations. Their wounds are still open and will take years to heal and they may never get back in the pulpit. I believe we as encouragers and our denominations have failed these good servants of God by not offering more support in their times of struggles.

There is a lot of support for churches dealing with open wounds. I wrote last time about the "Intentional Interim Program" that addresses and heals the wounds caused by all kinds of things. This and other programs offered to Churches can do wonders in a short period of time. A church can go from a crippled body to a vibrant growing church. This is encouraged and supported by many denominational leaders.

Where is the support for the wounded warriors? The men and women who have put their lives and families on the line only to have them crushed. Why isn't there more intentional support for these people? My own children were hurt so badly in one of our pastorates that they wanted to speak personally with any church committee that invited me to an interview. They wanted to be sure we were never hurt like that again. Often the children are the fallout. Pastors and wives will move on, baggage and all, and will do their best to serve again. Many times children will say if that is the way Christians treat each other they want no part of it. This is a sad commentary on how we treat the wounded. We are blessed that our children are both still serving in their churches.

At http://www.ministrytogether.com we try to address issues related to pastor/church relations. We discuss leadership styles, conflict resolution and many other questions that will help to match a prospective pastor with a church that has like styles. This can eliminate the conflict that arises when a pastor has one style and the church has expectations that are just the opposite.

To my friends who are hurting I want you to know that I have just said a prayer for you by name. I pray that your pain will ease, your needs are met and that you will be used in a mightier way in the Kingdom. And to the countless PKs who ask the question,, "Why do Christians act that way" I must confess that I really do not have an answer for you that is not trite. All I can say is we are all sinners with a very strong sin nature and sometimes that nature wins out. God help us to be aware of the hurts that we can cause to the innocent and God help us as denominations and as caring brothers and sisters to reach a hand out to the wounded and help them heal..........Preacherman