A Pastor's Personal Story: How My Ministers Support Group Helped Me Remain in My Pulpit
Ted Fuson
'I think you know what to do.' Almost eight years ago, Bob challenged me to make changes I needed to make.
Bob is one of the eight members in my support group. His comment came at the end of two hours of sharing during our annual overnight retreat. I had shared with them my weakness as a person and as a pastor. The group members had surrounded me, placed their hands on my shoulders and prayed for me. I went home that day to . . .
. . . Let me tell you about the group before finishing the story. Our group includes pastors and denominational executives. We meet four times a year for an all-day sharing time and have one mid-winter overnight 24-hour retreat. In addition, we meet when one of us needs a special time of support.
Whatever needs to be discussed, we share it confidentially and in Christian love. We have dealt with forced termination, church conflicts and staff unrest. We grieved together over the death of one of our member's wife and we celebrated when he remarried. Once in a while, one of us shares something he is writing or working on professionally for peer review.
I cannot imagine living without the support of the members of this support group. They are like brothers to me. Honest, loving, caring and supportive, they hold me accountable for spiritual and emotional health.
Well, how does the story end? After hearing Bob sum up the counsel of the group that cold winter day, I did, indeed, know what to do. I went home that day and told my wife I was going to make changes in the way I related to my work and to my family.
As a result, some of the stress in my relationships shifted from me to the places when it belonged. A difficult situation in my church improved. I found it easier to be flexible. I responded to my challenges because I knew the support group would listen and support me in my effort to grow.
Today, I know my support group is God's agent to promote emotional and spiritual growth in my life.
Dr. Ted Fuson is currently Pastor of the Culpeper Baptist Church, Culpeper, Virginia.