What is "The Shepherd's Refuge" and Why Does It Exist?
The art of pastoring is in crisis and I seek to apply the gifts and wisdom God has given me to reverse the escalating trends of burnout and resignations.
Many of my early years of pastoring were very hard. I know I would not have survived that early period in ministry without the care and counsel of my mentors, my counsellor, and other wise friends along the way. All of these people were critical to my survival and longevity in a very hard place as sources of consolation, wisdom, and encouragement.
I now seek to serve other pastors with the wisdom I have gained along the way. That’s why I’m starting this new venture called The Shepherd’s Refuge. It’s a ministry I hope will expand to include helpful articles, videos, coaching, consultation, and speaking engagements.
The Shepherd’s Refuge (TSR) seeks to address the following crises in modern pastoring:
1. Pastoral Burnout and Stress: Pastors often face high levels of stress and burnout due to the demands of the job. They carry the emotional burdens of a congregation and commonly deal with multiple challenges simultaneously, leaving limited opportunities for personal development and renewal. TSR will provide a much-needed space for pastors to decompress, recharge, and seek support.
2. Isolation and Loneliness: Pastoral leadership can be isolating, as pastors often feel the need to maintain a strong front and lack outlets for sharing their personal struggles. TSR will provide a place where pastors can connect with others who understand their unique challenges and experiences, reducing feelings of loneliness.
3. Spiritual Renewal: Pastors often need a place to nurture their own spiritual growth and receive nourishment but find that they are almost exclusively on the giving and not the receiving end of the equation. TSR will facilitate spiritual renewal through retreats, mentoring, counselling, and resources that deepen pastors’ faith and restore their sense of purpose.
4. Emotional and Mental Health Support: The emotional toll of guiding a congregation can be exhausting and overwhelming. TSR will build connections between compatible pastors for encouragement and support and compile a list of qualified, biblically-based counsellors for pastors to access. This will allow pastors to address their emotional needs before their situation becomes untenable.
5. Professional and Personal Development: TSR will offer valuable coaching, mentoring, workshops, retreats, video content, and written resources that equip pastors with practical skills, leadership insights, and guidance to enhance their ministries and better serve their families, congregations, and communities.
6. Preventing Ministry Attrition: Many pastors leave their posts prematurely, often debilitated by overwhelming experiences they are unable to endure. By offering support and care, TSR will help reduce ministry attrition rates and fortify pastors to continue their vital work.
Calls to Action:
Are you a pastor who finds himself in a state of depletion, not knowing where to turn? Let’s talk. You can reach me by email at michael@theshepherdsrefuge.com or by clicking the button below.
Will you partner with me in ministry? Please consider becoming a subscriber and contributing financially to the work of this ministry. Press the Subscribe button below.
If you’re reading this and you’re not a pastor, would you please consider sharing this post with a pastor you know?
Are you part of a church or business that might be in a position to make a significant ongoing financial contribution? Shoot me a message at michael@theshepherdsrefuge.com and let’s chat.
Michael Krahn is a Pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. You can connect with Michael on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.