Pastors and other church leaders are always available to lend an ear or a helping hand to any member of their congregations. But who is there for them? Who do these pastors go to when they need advice or a helping hand? Pastor Carlos Delgado has an answer.
Carlos was a new pastor in Newark NJ, when he realized a problem among his peers. “Sometimes people in church communities can forget that pastors are also just people like the rest of us,” he explained. Though they hold an authoritative and holy position, many pastors have the same needs and issues as the people in their congregations face.
Seeing this, Carlos began to connect his pastor-friends with each other to talk about the kinds of needs pastors face. Because of how strongly he felt about the value of such interaction, he soon developed the idea to hold a special meeting for just pastors. “That was the idea, to bring them all together. And then to have new pastors as well meet with this group.”
In March, Liebenzell Retreat Ministries hosted the first meeting of 12 Spanish-speaking pastors. The point of the gathering was not to talk about their own organizations or advertise their own churches to other pastors. Instead, Carlos wanted this retreat to be an open conversation about personal topics. “I wanted the group to have more freedom and have space for a more natural and organic way of talking with each other.”
The need for pastors to have confidential discussions about the burdens they carry and challenges they face is not often identified or addressed. Therefore this meeting held a lot of importance to Carlos and those who attended. “It is a way to talk about issues as pastors, because I know that they do have issues they wish to talk about but are not willing to speak with anyone else.”
The gathering also provided a chance for pastors from the surrounding areas to get to know each other and become friendly with each other. “Lots of pastors work together, but they as people, not pastors, can get lonely.” Carlos planned this meeting to provide a place for them to get together as people. “Leave your titles behind and come join this community.”
The group was very impressed with the facilities that Liebenzell had to offer them. “They were very happy with the renovations at the main house. We all feel so blessed to have Liebenzell host us.” Carlos also noted how helpful the Liebenzell team was for this very special retreat. “It was a great experience to have a place open their doors to all of these pastors.” Carlos asks for prayers in the future to bless himself and all pastors with wisdom and patience from God in helping each other with their needs.
Need a quiet place for your group to retreat, rest and reflect? Book your dates now. The spring schedule is filling up.
