I haven’t posted in a while because of big life changes—good, big life changes! I became a pastor again at a church in Ilderton, we sold a house, bought a house, and relocated to the lovely little village of Ailsa Craig, northwest of London (pics here).

However, all the while, the work of The Shepherd’s Refuge has continued. Pastors are finding the ministry and reaching out, and I’ve been busy every week with counselling, coaching, running workshops, and speaking at conferences.

The Shepherd’s Refuge offers pastoral care to pastors. That’s it in a nutshell.

Now that we are settled into our new home and finding our new rhythm, I hope to start writing and posting more regularly again. I’ve been getting a lot of questions about sabbaticals, and I’ll be posting some thoughts and resources. I recently preached a series called “What Is A Healthy Church?” and all of those sermons will be converted into content for The Shepherd’s Refuge as well.

If you find yourself reading this and not interested, that’s OK. You can easily unsubscribe, and I won’t take offence. If you are interested, great! If you are a pastor or have a pastor, I’m happy to have you along for a ride.

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The Shepherd’s Refuge provides pastoral care for pastors and ministry leaders. Reach out if you need care, support, or counsel.

Get in touch here: https://www.theshepherdsrefuge.com/contact or click below.

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader interested in supporting The Shepherd’s Refuge with a charitable donation? Click the banner below for more information.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

Two verses earlier, leading up to these words, the psalmist invites us to “Come, behold the works of the LORD…” Now, if you didn't know what came next and were asked to create a list of works of the Lord that people should behold, perhaps you would draw attention to the way he saves and redeems and pursues, or the way he is patient and kind and slow to anger. But that is not what the Psalmist chooses to focus on here.

Here he draws our attention to the Lord's ability to win wars and subdue the enemies of his people:

“Come, behold, the works of the Lord.” Look at what he's done. He is all-powerful. Nothing is beyond his sovereignty and control. So remember what he's done. Remember the events of ancient history where he has been faithful. Remember as well other events of more recent history in which he has shown himself to be faithful.

And because of this…

If you rip these words out of their context, it raises some difficulties. If you type “Be still, and know that I am God” into Google image search, the result is a plethora of scenes of serenity: people watching sunsets; people sitting on docks in meditative silence; people accepting these words as a direct and immediate personal message of comfort. You get a lot of images like this:

But what about God bringing desolations, making wars cease, breaking bows, shattering spears, and burning chariots? These are all descriptions of God using his power to bring the powers of the world into submission. Why then does he suddenly interject with this calming and personally direct statement? Why the quick pivot from violent imagery to peaceful serenity?

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The question here is: To whom are these words addressed? Commentators are not completely unanimous on this, but many take these words to be addressed primarily to the nations and kingdoms that rally themselves in defiance of God.

Calvin, for example, sees this as a warning to those who war against God. “The Psalmist seems now to turn his discourse to the enemies of the people of God, who indulge their lust of mischief and revenge upon them: for in doing injury to the saints they do not consider that they are making war against God.”

And so perhaps these words are better paired with images like this:

To whom are these words addressed? Is “Be still and know that I am God” written to a calm Christian sitting on a dock enjoying a sunset? Or are these words written to the subdued and defeated enemies of God’s people? Are they being delivered in the soothing tone of Mr. Rogers? Or are they uttered with the fierce authority of Gandalf facing down the Balrog on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm? “You… shall not… pass!”

This is an important point. When we are being still and knowing that he is God, it is not necessarily because we are looking at pleasant gardens of delight. Sometimes we are looking at the raw exercise of his power and both marvelling and taking comfort in the fact that he will preserve and protect us against any eternal harm.

Spurgeon, of course, wisely brings the two options together in three paired statements:

1. “Hold off your hands, ye enemies! Sit down and wait in patience, ye believers!”

2. “Acknowledge that Jehovah is God, ye who feel the terrors of his wrath! Adore him, and him only, ye who partake in the protections of his grace!”

3. “The boasts of the ungodly and the timorous [or nervous] forebodings of the saints should certainly be hushed by a sight of what the Lord has done in past ages.”

In the end, it is fair to say that these words are directed at everyone. To some as a fearful warning, and to others as an uncontested comfort.

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The Shepherd’s Refuge provides pastoral care for pastors and ministry leaders. Reach out if you need care, support, or counsel.

Get in touch here: https://www.theshepherdsrefuge.com/contact

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader interested in supporting The Shepherd’s Refuge with a charitable donation? Click the banner below for more information.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

Comforting those who struggle with sin while striving to put it to death.
Exhorting those who feign holiness as a cover for unimaginable wickedness.

Rejoicing over a long-awaited birth.
Grieving with the parents of a stillborn.

Receiving the anguished cries of hearts in pain.
Mourning the defiant screams of hearts in rebellion.

Witnessing the final breaths of saints who are almost home.
Presiding over the funeral service of one who died without hope.

Conducting the joyous wedding of two young people in love.
Being the first witness to the hidden transgression, the broken covenant, and the imminent divorce.

Shepherding the young leader who feels called to greater responsibility.
Confronting the bully who must command and control everything he puts his hand to.

Labouring alongside those who are faithful companions in the work.
Fending off those who come in close to betray more precisely.

Baptizing young believers who are excited about their newfound faith.
Witnessing the despairing renunciation of that same faith.

Enjoying heartfelt encouragement from well-meaning church members.
Wincing at words meant to wound, delivered by those who were once counted as friends.

Welcoming a prodigal home after a decade of wandering.
Watching one you love embark on a journey away from the church.

And more.

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In addition to all of these…

We must confront a reluctance to take measure of our own faults.

We must consider the fact that we urge others to trust in God while often failing to trust Him ourselves.

We must admit that we fail to accomplish what isn’t ours to attempt and then question God for not “doing something.”

We must confess that we preach on Sunday what we often fail to practice on Monday.

We must give an account for the souls in our care (Hebrews 13:17).

We’ll be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1).

Lord,
Please have mercy on our souls and the souls in our care!

And in addition to all of the above…

There is a 30 to 40-minute Sunday sermon that took 10-15 hours to prepare.

And all of it in only 30 minutes a week! Of course, I jest…

To all of this, pastors are called, and so we willingly engage. Sympathy is neither helpful nor required. Encouragement would be good. Support is always welcome. Handwritten notes are a blessing beyond measure.

Even the occasional joke about “only working 30 minutes a week” can add some levity to the heavy days, as long as we know that you understand what it's really like.

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The Shepherd’s Refuge provides pastoral care for pastors and ministry leaders. Reach out if you need care, support, or counsel.

Get in touch here: https://www.theshepherdsrefuge.com/contact

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader interested in supporting The Shepherd’s Refuge with a charitable donation? Click the banner below for more information.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

This was a far cry from Colossians 4:2, where we are instructed to “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

Feeling convicted about that, I made a short list of names of people to pray for in my journal. When that short list became a longer list, I rewrote it as a categorized list. The categories eventually numbered five, which I list and explain below.

1. Personal

This is my inner circle—the people and places most directly tied to my calling and spiritual responsibility: My wife and daughters, my parents, my in-laws. The Lead Pastor of the church we’re members at and the elder team around him. The pastor of the church I previously pastored and the elder team around him. The elders around me at the church I currently pastor. The ministry of The Shepherd’s Refuge. My own needs and requests.

Beside each list item, I write notes about specifics I’ve either noticed or heard directly.

2. People

This list includes various individuals with whom I have a connection. Some are fellow ministry workers who belong to local churches. Others are friends who are not connected to local churches. A wide variety of prayers are offered for these friends. I often follow up with a text message, letting them know they’re on my mind and asking if they’d like prayer for anything specific. The responses to those texts have been some of the most meaningful spiritual conversations I’ve had.

3. Marriages

This list focuses on the marriages of younger couples we are close to. If you’re married, you know that marriage can be hard, especially in the early years. Some of these couples are doing well, so I pray that their marriages will be strengthened and sustained. Others are struggling. As I’ve rewritten these lists over time, I’ve made a sublist of couples who are no longer together. For these couples, I pray for healing, truth, repentance, and reconciliation.

4. Pastors

This is my largest and most active list since supporting and encouraging other pastors is the mission of The Shepherd’s Refuge. I prioritize younger pastors, since they are the most vulnerable and often lack connection and support. Others are long-time friends or more recent connections. Younger or older, I pray for their endurance, integrity, joy, and protection. When I know they’re facing unique challenges, I reach out and remind them they’re being prayed for.

This list is subcategorized by denomination, with the denominational leader (i.e. “Executive Director”) at the top. The remaining names go in the “Other Denominations” subcategory. I pray for one subcategory each day.

5. Wreckage

This category includes men who are currently out of pastoral ministry, whether due to moral failure, burnout, or other issues. Of all the categories, this one often carries the most emotional weight. I pray not only for their repentance or restoration, but for those impacted by their exit.

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Getting Started

1. Start small. The “Personal” list will be easiest to write. Who’s in your “inner circle”? Start there. Then, begin a “People” list. Tell people you’ll pray for them and then… write their names down and actually pray for them!

2. Write your lists on the first page or two of a new journal. Then go to the halfway point and jot a note that says “Rewrite prayer lists”. When you get to that page, rewrite, reevaluate, and note developments—positive or negative.

3. Updates are important. Marriage status can change. Ministry status can change. Recently, I was able to move one of the men on my “Wreckage” list back over to my “Pastors” list. About a week later, unfortunately, I had to move another name from the “Pastors” to the “Wreckage” list.

4. People who don’t identify as Christians are almost always happy to be prayed for. Don’t be afraid to ask.

5. Your prayer lists are a great tool for the ministry of encouragement and connection. I often text the people I’m praying for that day and say, “Hey, praying for you this morning. Let me know if there is anything specific I can bring to the Lord on your behalf.” People are greatly encouraged to know there is someone actively praying for them.

A structured and intentional prayer life is a ministry of intercession and encouragement. This benefits both the pray-er and the ones being prayed for.

This should come as no surprise. It’s what we are commanded to do for God’s glory and our good. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

The Shepherd’s Refuge provides pastoral care for pastors and ministry leaders. Reach out if you need care, support, or counsel.

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader interested in supporting The Shepherd’s Refuge with a charitable donation? Click the banner below for more information.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

Spiritual Disciplines

1. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

“We aren’t meant to wait for holiness―we’re meant to pursue it. God commands Christians to actively “be holy,” but what does that look like in daily life? Rather than overwhelming legalism or loose boundaries, Don Whitney encourages us to find a practical middle ground through biblical habits.”

Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kHvt73

Devotionals

2. Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon

“With a passion for knowing and loving God, Charles Spurgeon also encouraged others to grow in their relationship with the Lord. Countless Christians have been inspired by Spurgeon's straightforward and insightful writings. And these meditations continue to be just as relevant today as they were more than one hundred years ago.”

Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kkDAqo

3. The Business of Heaven by C.S. Lewis

“C. S. Lewis, renowned author of Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other beloved classics, considers humankind’s spiritual journey in this collection of 365 wise, meditative excerpts and writings. In these daily reflections, the great British writer and scholar explores a wide range of connected themes, including ‘Nearness to God,’ ‘The Serious Business of Heaven,’ ‘Two Kinds of Good and Bad,’ and ‘Heaven and Sexuality.’”

Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Hd8fHp

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Personal Holiness

4. The Mortification of Sin by John Owen

“John Owen shows the need for Christians to engage in a life-long battle against the sinful tendencies that remain in them, despite their having been brought to faith and new life in Christ. Fighting sin with human strength will produce only self-righteousness, superstition and anxiety of conscience. But with faith in Christ, and with the power of the Spirit, victory is certain.”

Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jhRsjB

5. Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks

“This classic Puritan work offers profound insights into spiritual warfare. Brooks exposes the subtle tactics and schemes of Satan and provides believers with practical, scriptural remedies to resist temptation and maintain spiritual health.”

Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dAoOJs

6. Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness by David Powlison

“Anger is more than a problem to solve. Anger is our complex human response to things we perceive as wrong in a complex world, thus we must learn how to fruitfully and honestly deal with it. Powlison undertakes an in-depth exploration of the roots of anger, moral judgment, and righteous response by looking in a surprising place: God’s own anger. ”

Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3STY112

7. Battling Unbelief by John Piper

“No one sins out of duty. We sin because it offers some promise of happiness. That promise enslaves us, until we believe that God is more desirable than life itself (Psalm 63:3). Only the power of God’s superior promises in the gospel can emancipate our hearts from servitude to the shallow promises and fleeting pleasures of sin.”

Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kmIweb

Christian Leadership

8. The Cross and Christian Ministry by D.A. Carson

“Through his exposition of 1 Corinthians, D. A. Carson presents a comprehensive view of what the death of Christ means in preaching and ministering to God's people. He confronts the issues of factionalism, servant-leadership, shaping "world" Christians, and the source of knowledge in order to help Christian leaders learn principles for dynamic, cross-centered worship.”

Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FvpFOM

9. Basic Christian Leadership by John Stott

“Leadership today is no easy task. Christian leaders face pitfalls on every side, whether tensions from within the community or pressures from without. Those called to shepherd others get caught in power struggles and are tempted to abuse their pastoral authority. Too often our models of leadership are shaped more by culture than by Christ, as we employ methods of ministry incompatible with true servanthood.”

Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jjRSG4

10. Leadership as an Identity: Four Traits of Those Who Wield Lasting Influence by Crawford W. Loritts Jr.

“What type of character qualifies the people God chooses to use? The question itself assumes an atypical answer, simply because it leaves out so much. To ask only about one's character seems inadequate when defining a leader. We surely need to ask about character, but also about personality, communication skills, IQ, education, previous experience, and more... don't we? Crawford Loritts disagrees. He answers the question with four simple words: Brokenness, communion, servanthood, and obedience.”

Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mE7zv0

THE SHEPHERD'S REFUGE is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Shepherd’s Refuge provides pastoral care for pastors and ministry leaders. Reach out if you need care, support, or wise counsel.

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader interested in supporting The Shepherd’s Refuge with a charitable donation? Click the banner below for more information.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

Subscribe now

The Shepherd’s Refuge provides pastoral care for pastors. Whether you’re a pastor who needs support or a church leader who wants to care for your pastor, reach out today. We’re here to help you and your ministry leaders thrive in their calling.

Michael Krahn is the husband of Anne Marie and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. He is also a pastor, counsellor and coach. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

Even as I pursued TSR full-time, I sensed that no matter how successful it became, I would always want to stay connected to local church ministry. As the months passed, that sense became a certainty—I missed pastoring, preaching, and shepherding!

In January, the elders at Community Bible Church in Ilderton, Ontario approached me about a partnership. They loved TSR and were also in need of interim pastoral support, and they asked if I was interested in providing the support they needed. It didn't take me long to say yes.

A New Partnership

Yesterday, I was commissioned as an interim elder and pastor at CBC Ilderton.

This arrangement allows me to continue growing TSR while serving CBC Ilderton as a pastor and elder. A second opportunity also came my way. Gospel Care Canada asked if I would be one of their counselors. I said yes to counselling 3-4 hours a week.

Here’s what that looks:

• Two days a week serving CBC in pastoral ministry. One day a week working for TSR, focusing on like-minded local churches and their pastors.

• An additional 12 hours a week dedicated to TSR, funded by my generous financial partners.

• 3–4 hours a week counselling for Gospel Care Canada.

This means a new schedule with new pressures and a greater variety of work than I am used to. Before this new phase, I only held two jobs in my adult life, each for 15 years.

Please Pray

Although my role at CBC is interim, it is also open-ended. We will take it month by month and follow where the Lord leads. I would deeply appreciate your prayers as I continue to shepherd people in three realms: as a local church pastor, a pastor to pastors, and a counselor.

Please pray specifically for:

• Wisdom as I balance pastoring, coaching, and counseling.

• Endurance as I adjust to a more varied schedule.

• Fruitfulness in shepherding both a local church and fellow pastors.

God has been very good to me these last eight months. I’ve been challenged to practice patience while God moves at his speed, and I have learned a lot about trusting him.

I am excited about these opportunities, and to see what God will do through them. Thank YOU for being a friend and supporter along the way.

Links To Go

If you’d like to partner with The Shepherd’s Refuge and help establish its long-term impact, consider becoming a monthly supporter—click here.

For gospel-centered biblical counseling, visit Gospel Care Canada. You can find my counselor profile here.

Community Bible Church is a Great Commission Collective church.

Media

Watch yesterday’s commissioning at CBC below.

Watch yesterday’s announcement at our home church, RBC St. Thomas below.

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The Shepherd’s Refuge provides pastoral care for pastors. Whether you’re a pastor who needs support or a church leader who wants to care for your pastor, reach out today. We’re here to help you and your ministry leaders thrive in their calling.

Michael Krahn is the husband of Anne Marie and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. He is also a pastor, counsellor and coach. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

The point is that these are common experiences for pastors. With that in mind, please take the following from these stories:

1. Assume your pastor is facing challenges of similar intensity that he can't share with you.

2. Pray for the protection of his heart and soul as he navigates these challenges.

I hope you’ll better understand the pastoral experience and support your pastor - not blindly as if he is perfect, but biblically because he is not. He needs care, support, encouragement, protection, and correction just like you do.

The Burnout

I was a few years in and I was struggling. Those early years had been filled with learning and growth, but also hard experiences of attack at the hands of church members and other leaders. (I recently described some of these experiences here.)

It was January and we were in Mexico on vacation with our girls who were 13, 11, and 9 at the time. I was probably already experiencing burnout even though I couldn’t identify it.

At the resort breakfast table one morning, a church elder called. I answered, thinking it must be some emergency—perhaps a sudden death in the church family. It wasn’t; it was something far more mundane. It wasn’t an issue I needed to do something about, but it was enough to stir up the anxiety I had tried to leave back home.

I remember asking him why he would call me while I was on vacation with my family. His blunt response was, “I work on my vacations. You can too.” I struggled to enjoy the rest of our vacation.

By July of that year, I was fully burned out and struggling to function. This was due not only to numerous similar interactions but to my own tendency to overwork while taking too little time to rest and recharge. I came to a breaking point.

We Called It A Sabbatical

At a meeting with the elders, I broke down in tears. I poured my heart out about my pain and exhaustion. I was dealing with the regular duties of a Lead Pastor plus an intractable conflict with another pastor, while also offering consistent emergency care for a congregant who was in the midst of a serious mental health crisis.

Through tears, I mustered enough courage to say, “I don't think I can keep going. I'm going to need some time off.”

I was approved for an indefinite leave that ended up being eight weeks. I went to see our family doctor, met with my counsellor weekly, dialed in my physical fitness, and did all the hard work that I needed to do to recover. I returned with a new resilience and learned to correct my habit of overworking and taking on more than I could handle.

We called it a sabbatical. A few years later, when I better understood the meaning and purpose of a sabbatical, I realized that’s not what it was. It was emergency stress leave.

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Distortion

My experience is common among pastors.

Our view of sabbaticals in the Evangelical church is distorted. When a pastor takes extended time off that's unscheduled and on an emergency basis, it's not a sabbatical, even though that’s what it's often called.

We have good intentions, but we’ve become skeptical. Out of this skepticism, sabbaticals have become a hodgepodge of helpfulness and hesitation. Too often, a sabbatical is prescribed when all other options have been exhausted—a last-ditch effort to pull a pastor out of a tailspin.

The evidence of this fact is policies like this one that I found in my files:

“It is expected that a person receiving a sabbatical will return to the ministry left behind… for a minimum of one year. Persons failing to complete this minimum requirement are required to pay back half of the salary received during the sabbatical and forfeit any accumulated severance benefits.”

The document that paragraph came from is full of wisdom about the purpose and need for sabbaticals, but this section near the end is an inserted safeguard. And I know why it’s there.

Last Ditch Effort

Too many exhausted pastors take a sabbatical, discover it’s not the fix, and resign shortly after returning. After a few bad experiences with pastors leaving, churches and denominations hesitate to offer sabbaticals, and if they do, clauses are added to ensure a pastor returns to his post for a prescribed length of time.

No one benefits from this type of requirement. If a pastor is struggling and unsure he can continue even after a “sabbatical,” this policy will deter him from getting the rest he needs. If a pastor seeks God during a sabbatical and hears a genuine call to another assignment, he’ll be financially penalized if he responds to the call.

(If some pastors intentionally use a sabbatical as a "final benefit" before leaving, that's wrong too. I'm not personally aware of a single case of that happening, although I can see how it might happen.)

From our perspective as pastors, we have to do better with this. Better with daily rhythms, better with a weekly sabbath, better at taking the vacation time offered, and better with extended times of rest.

What’s Your Experience?

I’ll write more about the need for sabbaticals and my experiences, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Feel free to leave a comment below or send me a direct message.

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The Shepherd’s Refuge provides pastoral care for pastors. Whether you’re a pastor in need of support or a church leader seeking to bless and care for your pastoral team, reach out today. We’re here to help you and your ministry leaders thrive in their calling.

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader interested in supporting The Shepherd’s Refuge with a charitable donation? Click the banner below for more information.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

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The following is a guest post by my friend Darryl Dash, Lead Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church East Toronto. You can find more of his writing and resources at DashHouse.com.

Every Pastor Will Go Through Crisis

Every pastor will go through a leadership crisis. In my experience, this is true. The Apostle Paul is a good example. You can mine his books for wisdom on pastoral ministry with great benefit, and yet two of the most underrated books by Paul related to pastoral ministry are also the most heartbreaking ones: 2nd Corinthians and 2nd Timothy.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul writes to a church that has rejected him. He pours out his heart and pleads with them to open their hearts to him. 2 Corinthians is a book that's full of suffering. Paul describes his suffering, including beatings and shipwrecks, but also includes “the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28). Paul knew what it was like to suffer. He also relates how his personal suffering—his thorn in the flesh—was both a messenger from Satan and used by God to teach him dependence (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Somehow, God is able to use even Satan's attacks against us for our own good.

2 Corinthians is a book about ministering from a position of weakness, which is where pastors will find themselves a great deal of the time. 2nd Corinthians should normalize weakness and suffering in pastoral ministry. We can't escape it. Not only will we feel personally weak, but the people we're trying to pastor will sometimes turn against us.

We discover the same thing in 2 Timothy. In 2 Timothy, Paul, near the end of his ministry, relates how he feels completely abandoned by almost everyone. At his first defence, he writes, “no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me… But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). Paul names people who let him down. The relational pain that Paul experienced is palpable as you read his last letter.

The hardest part about ministry is the relational pain that eventually every pastor will go through. Relational pain is unavoidable in ministry. Not only will we face our own deep personal weakness, but we will inevitably face attacks and betrayal by others. Thankfully, this won’t characterize all of our ministry, but I don't know a pastor who's completely escaped this.

At some point, if you are a pastor, you will be misunderstood and attacked. People who you thought were friends will turn against you. You will feel alone.

Every pastor I know has, at one point or another, gone through a leadership crisis and has suffered because people turned against them.

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Pray It Doesn’t Happen Early

But here's the second part of the statement: Just pray it doesn't happen in your first ministry, because if we are tested too soon in our ministries we might be tempted to quit. It can help though to have some joy and stability in our early years of ministry so that we can learn to appreciate ministry's many joys before we're exposed to too much of its hardship.

Looking back, I can see that the tests I endured in my first ministry were relatively easy. I did have one deacon who before quitting threatened to physically attack me. But other than that one brief moment my first seven years of ministry were relatively easy and joyful.

But I do know pastors who have gone through a crisis in their first ministry. It cost them but they've come out fine. It’s ideal if you don’t face crisis in your first ministry, but even if you do, you can, with God’s help, survive.

Generally speaking, the advice I was given before I began ministry is true: Pastor, you will go through a leadership crisis. You won't be able to escape it. We should prepare for it, and we should also pray for its timing. Pray that it comes at a time when you have the strength to endure the trial that you will go through.

If all this talk of going through a leadership crisis sounds depressing remember that God does some of His best work during crisis. Paul said he learned to depend on Christ's strength and not on himself during suffering. His suffering helped deliver him from the temptation of pride.

When we suffer we walk the same road that Jesus walked for our sakes. And of course, God brought much good out of Jesus' suffering. Paul Miller reminds us that every death is a prelude to new life. “You will often find dying in one area of your life matched by rising in another part,” he writes. “When I’m in a death, I watch for a resurrection.”

We can find hope even when we suffer as pastors. God hasn't abandoned us. This is just part of ministry and God is able to bring good out of our suffering.

Pastor don't be surprised when you suffer. Expect it. Pray that the timing doesn't wipe you out, and keep going. Find someone you trust who can walk with you through that period of trial and believe that God will bring good even out of the worst trial that you will one day face.

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The Shepherd’s Refuge provides pastoral care for pastors. Whether you’re a pastor in need of support or a church leader seeking to bless and care for your pastoral team, reach out today. We’re here to help you and your ministry leaders thrive in their calling.

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader interested in supporting The Shepherd’s Refuge with a charitable donation? Click the banner below for more information.

2025 got off to a roaring start. I'm thankful for the opportunities given and the connections made at Community Bible Church Ilderton, Heritage College & Seminary, and Hespeler Baptist Church.

The first week of February is also very FULL, but after that, I have some slower weeks.

Feb. 2, 2025 - Preaching at St. Paul's United Church, Aylmer ON

Feb. 6-7, 2025 - Beacon Bible Chapel Leadership Retreat, Deckerville, MI

Feb. 7-8, 2025 - Leading a breakout session at Free Indeed Men's Conference, London, ON (Get tickets here)

Feb. 9, 2025 - Preaching at Straffordville EMC, Straffordville ON

All of these are open events except for Feb. 6-7. Consider this an invitation to join any of the others. Be sure to say hi if you do.

Click this link to access my longer itinerary.

The Shepherd’s Refuge provides pastoral care for pastors. Whether you’re a pastor who needs support or a church leader seeking to bless and care for your pastoral team, reach out today. We’re here to help you and your ministry leaders thrive in their calling.

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader interested in supporting The Shepherd’s Refuge with a charitable donation? Click the banner below for more information.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

All of this training helped me recognize some bad reasons to become a pastor. Here are four:

1. To Build Your Reputation

In the early days of social media, I followed a satirical account on Twitter. When this account posted a satirical story that was way out of bounds, an elderly couple in the church confusedly accused me of producing the content. During a phone call, I tried to explain how social media worked, thanked them for pointing out the article, and deleted my connection to the satire account so this confusion could never happen again.

I thanked them for calling and thought that was the end of it. Sadly, it wasn’t.

It turned out they were doing oppo-research on me and collecting material for a slander campaign. Even after I explained, took action, and thanked them for their concern, they spread the falsehood that I not only wrote the article in question but that I was involved in producing other explicit material and profiting from it.

My reputation never recovered with some of the seniors in our church. I remember meeting with one man in particular who was a family friend and had known me since birth. He was caught in a quandary of not wanting to believe what he heard about me but not wanting to call the people slandering me liars since they were widely respected in our community. He was a faithful and founding member of the church but he left and never returned.

So my reputation took a hit, but I learned to trust God to bring good out of this type of evil - which he did often!

Reputation is fickle and trying to manage it is futile. I’m thankful that the Lord cured me of the love of reputation early in my ministry. If you seek to build your reputation by leading a church, you’ll probably become disillusioned.

2. To Climb the Ladder of Title and Position

A few months into my first assignment, a friend expressed an assumption that I was merely biding my time while I positioned myself for a promotion. He assumed my end goal was to make successive steps toward “better” positions a rung or two up the ladder.

Honestly, I had never entertained the idea and was mildly offended. I eventually became the Lead Pastor but it wasn’t my goal at the start. I was surprised to be called to pastoral ministry in the first place, so “moving up the ladder” was not on my radar at all.

In the body of Christ, we are assigned gifts to build up the body. Some move into pastoral ministry, others don’t. Of those that do, some move from associate to lead, others don’t—and that’s OK, as I have noted previously.

But purpose and significance are not found in grasping the next rung. “If I can just become a pastor… a lead pastor… an executive pastor… a pastor to pastors!”

Pursuing a better title and higher position—climbing the corporate ladder—has no place in pastoral ministry. If this is your goal then pursue positions in the marketplace.

3. To Flex Your Intellect

I brought an aptitude for writing into ministry so my early sermons were well-written and solidly structured and I was improving on my delivery. I believed I had a winning formula and planned to keep doing what I was doing and continue improving.

Until one Sunday when Loreen Sawatzky, a bright young woman who attended the church, offered a compliment that changed the trajectory of my preaching. Loreen said, “Pastor Michael, I really enjoy your sermons, but I often have no idea what you’re talking about!”

Her compliment was full of wisdom and insight that I needed to hear. My preaching was geared to an imagined audience—other pastors or academics—rather than the people God had placed in front of me. It was an important lesson: my intellect should serve God’s people, not my own pride.

A strong intellect is a gift from God, but even this gift must be used to build up the body to which you are assigned—not the body you wish you were assigned to. God places you in a position to serve his people, not for them to serve you.

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4. To Achieve Ministry Success

I attended a conference in Calgary in my first year as a pastor. I had seen Aaron Armstrong “live blog” conferences and decided to try it. I typed furiously during the sessions and then organized, edited, and posted my content within about 15 minutes of the end of each session.

Many attendees noticed my posts. One of them was Doug Koop, the editor of Christian Week—a nationally distributed weekly paper. He asked me to begin writing a column for the paper.

The acknowledgement was intoxicating and I immediately began foolishly calculating my trajectory: If I could make this much progress so early in my first pastoral assignment, I reasoned, maybe not too long from now, I could be one of the presenters on stage that others wrote about!

I was blinded by the prospect of platform and stage which I saw as a “greater” success. Thankfully, I came out of that fog to realize that God had called me in that season to serve a particular people in a small town, not a general audience from conference stages in big cities.

Properly defined, success is good; even ministry success can be good. But the unrelenting pursuit of the “ministry success” of bigger stages, higher book sales, and increasing visibility are measures of success we’ve imported from the world.

Gratitude

As I look back on these now-distant experiences, I am increasingly grateful. Yes, grateful. What was painful—even what was meant for evil against me—turned out for my good.

I learned not to idolize my reputation, to care less about title and position, and that my intellect must be used to serve others.

Most importantly, I learned this: Ministry progress is found in long obedience, not in quick success.

The Shepherd’s Refuge provides pastoral care for pastors. Whether you’re a pastor in need of support or a church leader seeking to bless and care for your pastoral team, reach out today. We’re here to help you and your ministry leaders thrive in their calling.

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader interested in supporting The Shepherd’s Refuge with a charitable donation? Click the banner below for more information.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

This metaphor highlights the need for preparation before facing the intense pressures of ministry. New young leaders are more like plastic cups than ceramic mugs.

Tested leaders have been shaped over time. Once you’ve been fired in the kiln of adversity, you’ll be fired for good, and prepared for the high heat of ministry.

The Kiln of Adversity

Being chosen as a leader is not the end of a process but the beginning. We’ve developed solid methods to prepare young leaders for the technical aspects of ministry, but we often neglect the importance of guiding them through the long process of shaping.

Too often, we pour boiling water into plastic cups and seem surprised when the cups melt.

Every ministry leader begins as a lump of clay yet too often, we place these unformed vessels into roles designed for those already refined by time and experience. In some churches, the elder team is designated a place where young leaders can “learn to lead.”

The result is often the destruction of half-shaped vessels because they aren’t ready for the heat and pressure.

Some positions in the church should be reserved for those who have already been hardened in the kiln of adversity. Younger ministry leaders need time to continue the shaping process. And while some are ready sooner than others, many are burned by their experience.

Don’t Rush the Process, Submit to the Potter

Even when not rushed, some younger leaders, fueled by overzealous ambition, want to advance quickly and obtain authority before they’re ready. That's a common way to end a leadership journey before it really begins.

Instead, young leaders should pace themselves by following the Lord’s leading and as they do, he will bring heat and pressure to the process and always at the perfect time.

If you sprint forward and let ambition get ahead of your character, there is nothing but trouble ahead for you and the people you lead. But when you allow God to shape and mould you, he will, in his time, prepare you to endure even hotter fires of affliction and make you into a vessel for his glory.

Rest assured, a slow and steady pace of ministry will afford you ample opportunities for affliction and adversity. Simply let the Lord lead you at his pace as you labour to understand his word and do what it says as you lead his people.

If you do this, there will be no need to go looking for a fight; the fights will come to you.

Leaders Are Not Born Ready

Leaders are not born ready. They require a process that takes time, pressure, and heat in graduated increments. Time will pass, pressure will be applied, and the Potter will shape you into a useful vessel as you submit to his skillful hands.

What he shapes you into may not resemble your fantasies of “ministry success” but if you submit to his process, reality will be better than fantasy could ever be.

I’ve seen young leaders with potential who needed the shaping power of adversity. I learned by this process as a young pastor and it is the proven path. I had to learn (and keep learning) to “Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

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The Final Firing

Pray for young leaders to encounter the adversity that will shape them. Pray this not because you want them to suffer, but because there is no other way to be shaped!

Pray that God would be gracious in humbling and teaching them through adversity and that they would be submissive to his process. And then walk alongside them for the duration of the journey.

I’m confident that if more young leaders were guided through being fired in the kiln of adversity, fewer would flame out or need to be fired from their ministry positions.

We will all one day face a final firing in the kiln that will reveal the durability of the materials we’ve chosen to build with.

“If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.” (1 Cor. 3:12-14)

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Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader who would consider making a charitable donation to The Shepherd’s Refuge? Please click the banner below for more info.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

Briefly defined:

Good leaders pursue self-sacrifice for the sake of the church.

Bad leaders pursue selfish satisfaction at the expense of the church.

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1. When You Handle Good Leaders Well, People Will Want to Become Leaders

In healthy churches, vulnerability is an asset. Signs of fatigue are warning lights that a leader needs rest and other supports. Regardless of their present state, good leaders are recognized for their efforts, honoured for their contributions, and given the resources they need to recover.

Future leaders see this and take note: “If I fall on hard times, I’ll be well taken care of.”

2. When You Mistreat Good Leaders, People Will Avoid Leadership

In unhealthy church environments, vulnerability is fatal. When long labour and inadequate rest lead to depletion and instability, politicos in the church see this as a good time to terminate a pastor or force his exit.

Potential leaders see this and take note: “I can’t get tired and if I do, I can’t show it. If I let anyone know, I could be quickly eliminated in the same way.”

3. When You Handle Bad Leaders Well, People Will Want to Lead

As Paul warns in Acts 20, fierce wolves—also known as “bad leaders”—will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert…”

Handling bad leaders well requires courage and persistence because bad leaders manipulate and scheme to achieve their goals. These are the wolves God’s Word warns us about and they cannot be tolerated or appeased.

Dealing with such leaders comes with a high cost, especially if they’ve used their position of authority as a net to collect devoted followers. But the cost of not dealing with them is always higher. So take this on and if you’ve been delaying, start today. God will give you the strength you need and has already supplied wisdom from his Word.

If you do this, potential leaders will take note: “Safeguards are in place. If something bad happens, current leaders are not afraid to deal with it.”

4. When You Mishandle Bad Leaders, People Will Avoid Leadership

Abusive or predatory leaders always want more—influence, power, and control. They recruit followers and manipulate conditions to shield themselves from scrutiny.

When leaders pursue self-satisfaction at the expense of the church, you must take action. Good leaders avoid environments where abuse is tolerated. They’ll stay away from leadership and often leave the church altogether.

They see that sinful behaviour is tolerated and that they will not be protected. They take note: “I see leaders abusing fellow leaders. I’m not signing up for that!”

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Summary

A healthy leadership culture requires two commitments:

1. Encourage good leaders consistently. Welcome their vulnerability and ensure they have time to recover and resume active duty in good health.

2. Confront bad leaders courageously. Don’t back off or try to appease. This never works out. You pay the price now or you pay a higher price later. You’ll never appease these leaders by giving in to their demands. Instead, they’ll see they can control you and increase their demands.

Do these two things well and create a pathway for new good leaders to join your team. If you’re struggling to find leaders for your church, you might have mistreated the good leaders you had and mishandled the bad leaders you still have.

Need Help?

Take some time to evaluate how you are handling both good and bad leaders in your church. If you need help navigating a difficult situation, feel free to get in touch.

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader who would consider making a charitable donation to The Shepherd’s Refuge? Please click the banner below for more info.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

I founded and now lead a non-profit/ministry called The Shepherd’s Refuge which provides pastoral care for pastors.

As a business leader, you understand the weight of leadership—not only guiding your organization but also caring for those you lead. Many business owners, like pastors, provide spiritual care alongside their professional responsibilities.

Unfortunately, we are currently seeing an alarming increase in burnout and pastoral resignations. At The Shepherd’s Refuge, we care for pastors, helping them stay healthy, engaged, and equipped to lead. Thriving pastors strengthen churches, which, in turn, build healthier families, workplaces, and communities.

So far in my experience, it is primarily business owners who seem to understand best the unique strains that pastors face.

Would you consider partnering with us through an annual or monthly recurring donation?

Your support will make a tangible difference for these leaders, and we’ll proudly display your business logo as part of our network of supporters. (You can see current business partners at the link below)

I’d also be happy to meet in person to share more about the vision of The Shepherd’s Refuge and how your partnership can make an impact.

Click here to learn more about becoming a business partner: https://www.theshepherdsrefuge.com/business-partnership

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support pastors and strengthen your community.

Blessings,

Michael Krahn

The Shepherd’s Refuge

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Are you a pastor in need of care, in a state of depletion, not knowing where to turn? Let’s talk. Follow this link to my contact page or click the button below.

Email Michael

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader who would consider making a charitable donation to The Shepherd’s Refuge? Please click the banner below for more info.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

Spurgeon’s evening entry for December 5 is a timely message as we wrestle with questions about the supply of future pastors.

“God will always find men for His work, and He will find them at the right time…

You need not fret concerning the weakness of the church of God at any moment; there may be growing up in obscurity the valiant reformer who will shake the nations…

The Lord knows where to find His servants. He has in ambush a multitude of mighty men, and at His word they shall start up to the battle; ‘for the battle is the Lord’s,’ and He shall get to Himself the victory.

Let us abide faithful to Christ, and He, in the right time, will raise up for us a defence, whether it be in the day of our personal need, or in the season of peril to His Church.”

— From: Morning and Evening: A Devotional Classic for Daily Encouragement

Let’s take these words to heart and trust that he will supply what the church needs. Let’s also actively participate in the work of identifying and preparing future pastors.

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Are you a pastor in need of care, in a state of depletion, not knowing where to turn? Let’s talk. Follow this link to my contact page or click the button below.

Email Michael

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader who would consider making a charitable donation to The Shepherd’s Refuge? Please click the banner below for more info.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

If you don’t lead or serve with a nonprofit or ministry, this day might be a mystery to you. Maybe all the pleas for support even annoy you a little bit.

Why all the social media posts and emails about giving to these different organizations? Why is each one making their plea today and asking you to “give in order to make a difference”?

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This is my first Giving Tuesday as the director of a ministry. I can tell you.

Leading a nonprofit is both deeply fulfilling and uniquely challenging. You’re not really running a business and you don't have a product to sell. Ministries like ours depend on the shared vision and generosity of others to thrive.

The “product,” if you can call it that, is positive change. That’s what you’re selling: the prospect and evidence of positive outcomes. The money you give funds the efforts of the leaders and agents of the ministry to do the good work and spread the good word about it.

Since it's Giving Tuesday, I'll make my plea as well.

The Shepherd’s Refuge exists to increase pastoral resilience. Many pastors feel immense pressure to appear strong even when they’re struggling. Too often, pastors only seek help after they’ve burned out or resigned.

Your gift can ensure they receive care before it’s too late.

By giving to The Shepherd’s Refuge, you can help more pastors like the one who wrote this in a recent testimonial: ”By God's grace I've been able to manage my past pains and future worries better. I'm encouraged and hopeful that I'm where God wants me to be and that I see progress in my health.“

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Giving Tuesday offers a unique opportunity for impact.

We all recognize that pastors play an important role in the health of local churches. Your gift today will provide counselling sessions, coaching resources, and other services to pastors. Every dollar you give helps pastors rediscover and maintain good health, benefiting their churches and communities.

Please press the "donate" button below to partner with The Shepherd’s Refuge in this important ministry.

Please visit www.theshepherdsrefuge.com to learn more and join in this vital work.

Share THE SHEPHERD'S REFUGE

Follow this link to my contact page or click the button below.

Email Michael

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

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“The Shepherd's Refuge was an invaluable support to me during one of the most challenging seasons of my ministry. Over the course of a year and a half, we continued to meet, and Michael’s guidance was particularly valuable.

Michael was a steady and consistent source of wisdom. His approach was rooted in biblical principles and logic, which gave me clarity when I needed it most.

While it was a difficult period to walk through, and I occasionally still feel uncertain about my place in ministry, I now feel much more equipped for future leadership roles and ministry opportunities.

Michael’s input helped me gain clarity, and I would strongly encourage anyone in church leadership to seek out someone like him—a mentor who can walk with you through difficult times with wisdom, compassion, and biblical insight.”

If you’d like to help pastors like the one above, please consider giving to the current campaign: “Give Your Pastor the Gift of Care This Christmas”

Click here to read other testimonials. Please get in touch with me to talk about how I can serve your pastor and church.

Follow this link to my contact page or click the button below.

Email Michael

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

Give the Gift of Care

It’s one month until December 25. Have you thought about what you’re getting your pastor for Christmas?

Today I'm launching a campaign called "Give Your Pastor the Gift of Care for Christmas”.

From today until Dec. 31, 2024, you can become a monthly partner of The Shepherd’s Refuge and ensure your pastor gets the care he needs in 2025.

1. How it Works… You Give, He Gets

Church members sign up as monthly partners of The Shepherd’s Refuge. If monthly donations from individuals in your church total $200 a month or more, your church becomes a Shepherd’s Refuge Partner Church.

This partnership provides your pastor with the following benefits:

• A monthly personalized check-in to discuss challenges and receive prayer.

• A $150 voucher toward the services offered by The Shepherd’s Refuge.

• An ongoing 20% discount on those same services.

  Give the Gift of Care

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2. Next Question… What Services Does The Shepherd’s Refuge Offer?

Individual Pastor Care options:

• Monthly One-on-One Meetings

• Monthly Cohort Meetings

• Biblical Counseling Sessions

• Focus Modules

• Personal Intensive Retreats

Group Leadership Support options:

• Group Leadership Retreat

• One-Day Seminars/Workshops

  Give the Gift of Care

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3. Ready to Give? You Can Make This Happen.

• Give the entire $200 a month yourself

• Give as a family project or partner with another family

• Give together with your small group

• Give on behalf of your business

• Or any other method will do!

Please visit this landing page to give, see more details, or read an FAQ section that answers questions you might have.

Give the Gift of Care

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

But after yet another encouragement to ask, I did, and several pastors and church leaders were willing to write about their experiences.

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The testimonials were indeed awkward to ask for, but the responses were encouraging. They helped me to see how I am helpful when addressing a variety of pastoral experiences. I hope they are helpful to you as well if you need help or think your pastor might.

Over the next weeks, I will post some of these testimonials. Here is the first one:

“It was lonely and a struggle at times to find the biblical care I needed. I could tell things were unhealthy but it was difficult to find a resource that I could trust to provide care and biblical counselling.

The Shepherd’s Refuge has helped me regain some balance in my life. It has provided the care and guidance I desperately needed.

The Shepherd’s Refuge has been a significant help in my healing process with burnout. I found an organization I can trust to provide compassionate care and biblical counseling.

By God's grace, I've been able to manage my past pains and future worries better. I'm encouraged and hopeful that I'm where God wants me to be and that I see progress in my health.

I'd highly recommend The Shepherds Refuge because that's exactly what it is and exactly what I needed. I needed a safe place to rest and heal."

Click here to read other testimonials here. Please get in touch with me to talk about how I can serve your pastor and church.

Follow this link to my contact page or click the button below.

Email Michael

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

Have you ever asked God for direction only to have him answer more clearly than you expected?

In the summer of 2023, I took a week of “staycation.” As I began that week, I recorded a short prayer in my journal: “Lord, lead me into what’s next. May I work hard this week in thinking, writing, and praying. Show me the path or at least the next step.”

By week’s end, he answered clearly–my assignment as Aylmer EMMC’s Lead Pastor was ending and a new assignment was in store. 

I felt rumblings in the months leading up to this, but no more than at other points in the past. During my 15 years at AEMMC, I regularly sought the Lord about my calling and every time I asked the answer was the same: “Stay.”

Each time I stayed, it was not a grudging or half-hearted commitment; I resolved to love the people of the church and lead them as best I could. 

Privately and publicly, I consistently said that if the Lord’s assignment was to stay at AEMMC until I reached 65, that would be fine with me. And if he had something else for me, that would be fine too.

When I checked in with him in the summer of 2023, the answer was different for the first time–he had a new assignment for me. 

Seasons of Preparation

God first called me to be a pastor in 2007, and this was a surprise–to me, not to him. He had been covertly preparing me for years. I realized in 2023 that he had been preparing me again. Younger pastors and other church leaders were reaching out to me for help and advice. This consumed more of my time and was God’s way of preparing me for what was next. 

I sensed God leading me into a new ministry focused less on a single local church and more on the health of many local churches. That week of staycation was the beginning of a new adventure that came to be called The Shepherd’s Refuge. 

It was a working title at first, but it soon became the permanent name as I discovered more layers of meaning behind it. I pursued the formation of this new ministry with a mix of energy and uncertainty. I always thought that if God called me to move on from AEMMC, it would be into another pastoral position, not to start a new ministry from scratch. 

In October of 2023, I announced my “eventual resignation” to the congregation, and on June 30, 2024 - exactly 11 months after that pivotal week of staycation - I said goodbye to AEMMC as I began a new chapter.

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Pressing Pastoral Challenges

Since God called me to undertake this new ministry, I’ve had the privilege of entering into the stories of many pastors and church leaders. Frequently, they are exhausted and all of them need encouragement.

Wartime metaphors come to mind as I look at the landscape of pastoring today - words like: “battleground,” “minefield,” and “casualties” are often used. A Duke University study suggests that 85% of those who train for ministry will leave within five years. If this is even close to being accurate, it should alarm us.

These are people pursuing ministry training intending to give their lives in service to Jesus and his church, and within five years, up to 85% of them have already given up.

Barna recently reported that 42% of current pastors have given serious consideration to quitting. Over the last few years, many have resigned - not to pastor elsewhere but to stop pastoring altogether. Barna also found that by 2030 (only six years from now) 25% of all current pastors are planning to retire. 

The Evangelical church in North America is suffering a pastoral shortage already, and the worst, it seems, may be yet to come.

Prior to 2007, I never planned to be a local-church pastor; prior to mid-summer 2023, I never planned not to be one. And yet, today God has called me to help address these concerning trends.

He has given me a new assignment that, with prayer and persistence, will offer much-needed care, coaching, and connection to pastors and other ministry leaders. 

Please visit www.theshepherdsrefuge.com to learn more and join me in this vital work.

Share THE SHEPHERD'S REFUGE

Follow this link to my contact page or click the button below.

Email Michael

Are you an individual, business owner, or church leader who would consider making a charitable donation to The Shepherd’s Refuge? Please click the banner below for more info.

Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, X, or Instagram.