Caring for Those in Ministry
by Giles Armstrong | President
In Ephesians 4:11 we read these words…
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.”
God calls pastors and missionaries gifts to the church, but how often do we see them as a gift? How you view someone will determine how you treat them. Pastor appreciation month is coming and, while it is a great time to encourage your pastors and missionaries, it is only one month out of twelve. To put this into perspective, let me ask you: How well would your marriage go if you just appreciated your spouse one month out of the year? I don’t have to wait for my anniversary to celebrate my marriage, rather I need to invest in it daily. The same is true of those in ministry, they need our support and encouragement on a regular basis. When we treat someone as a gift, we don’t neglect them.
We are all familiar with the saying “Pastors work one day a week.” But in reality, very few take a whole day off a week. Ministry over the last 10 to 15 years has become increasingly challenging. It used to be if you needed to get a hold of your pastor, you had to call or stop by their office. Now with the increased platforms of communication, he is available 24/7.
Many in ministry are on the front lines for extended periods of time without sabbaticals or home assignments. They don’t just have a target on their back but their chest and head as well, and the enemy would love nothing more than to take them out and hurt their family. That is why we need to put those in full-time ministry on a prayer list not a pedestal.
We also need to realize that leadership is lonely and many in ministry don’t have close friends. Not only is ministry lonely, but it also comes with an increase in losses. These can come from the loss of family as they move overseas, to funerals, to the loss of privacy as they live in glass houses and people throw rocks. Coupled with this are the expectations placed on them and their families, many of which are unrealistic. As if life in ministry was not already challenging, this Corona Virus has also placed added strain on them as they try to deal with not only the death but also the division that has surfaced. Pastors are trying to minister to a lot of differing positions and opinions.
I recently spoke at a pastor’s conference and there were many who said “I just feel dry and burnt out.” But it’s not just your pastor that needs your support, it’s their family. Often they feel greater pain and pressure as they not only experience the challenges of ministry but also the critical comments about the ones they love. How often do we focus our appreciation on the pastor but not their family? What those in ministry need is not our sympathy but our support. What they desperately desire is understanding, love, and prayer.
Recently a pastor and his wife were gifted a life changing week at SonScape Retreats through the generosity of their church and community. This made them feel so loved. Would you consider encouraging your pastor or missionary by helping to send them to SonScape? We are seeing many in need of a retreat. Most of our retreats are full through October and the end of the year retreats are filling up. Thank you for your generosity to the ministry that enables us to support your pastor and missionaries.
Retreat Leaders:
Colorado and New York
by Giles Armstrong and Larry Magnuson | Present and Past Presidents
On August 1, all the domestic retreat leaders gathered for a time of fellowship and prayer. It was a rich day of laughing, dreaming, and encouraging one another. We were all sorry that our Colombian team and the retreat leaders working at Kerith Retreats in Canada could not attend due to the Covid 19 pandemic. That gathering has been rescheduled for the summer of 2021. But the six couples working here at our Colorado site or in New York enjoyed the time together.
Giles and I are amazed at the couples God has brought here to lead our retreats. Their hearts for the Lord and for ministry couples/singles, as well as their experiences in the church and on the mission field, make them an incredible team. In all, they have over 200 years in ministry experience and have led over 300 SonScape retreats. Incredible! We are very grateful for the team God has brought together and are excited about SonScape’s future as a result.
The SonScape Experience
by SonScape Alumni
Mark Hadley
Our time at SonScape was a God send. The teaching times were insightful and relevant to the many challenges we face in ministry and marriage. The times with our retreat leaders in personal sessions helped us identify unhealthy narratives that were lingering under the surface and gave us tools for becoming healthier versions of ourselves. We are so grateful for the opportunity to come here. If you are in ministry, this experience is worth your time! Or if you love someone who is in ministry, helping them get here will be an act of love and affirmation far into the future.
Beth Hadley
Our time at SonScape not only provided rest and refreshment, but it also gave us tremendous insight into areas we needed to “tweak” in order to more fully become who God created us to be (individually and as a couple). I know we will continue to reap the benefits of our time here long after we leave.
Peter Lung
SonScape Retreats has provided me with a very unique experience of sabbath rest, one unlike any other retreat experience I’ve ever had. I’m thankful to God for allowing me to find rest for my body, mind, and soul. And that SonScape exists for the purpose of providing rest, refreshment, restoration, and renewal for those who labor tirelessly for the advancement of His Kingdom. Indeed, I would highly recommend those who may be experiencing fatigue, burnout, and in need of a sabbatical from the ministry to consider SonScape Retreats as their number one choice!
Pastor Appreciation | October 2020
While care for pastors needs to be a year round effort, October is the time to give special attention to those called to lead the Church. As Giles shared in his article “Caring for Those in Ministry,” pastors and missionaries are God’s gift to His Church. In these trying times, a special recognition by individuals and/or by the corporate body can make a huge difference. Check out pastorappreciation.org for some meaningful ideas including the possibility of a trip to a SonScape retreat (or a return trip).
Retreat Center Upgrade
Due to a major hail storm a couple years ago and a retreat facility that is 25 years old, we have completed extensive upgrades to the exterior of the property: a new metal roof (no longer green), beautifully designed exterior paint, new parking lot, repaired decks, and other work to the buildings and grounds.
One of SonScape’s values is to offer our guests the best food and facilities possible. Perry and Jeanien Meyer, Barbara Magnuson, and Becky VanHook have worked hard across the last two years to upgrade our facilities inside and out to keep that value alive.