Find a Safe Place to Share

Isolation is a massive issue for ministry leaders. It takes courage and sometimes trial and error to find a trusted friend or Pastoral group or to share the issues of the heart with. It is often easier to keep things at a surface level or focus on aspects of Professional Development rather than going to the vulnerable and deep places. Finding these people to travel life’s journey with is invaluable to well-being and sustainable ministry.

As caregivers, Pastors need places where they are also cared for. A place where their heart is heard and their needs can be expressed, and their feelings validated. Henry Clouds’ and John Townsend’s book, ‘Safe People’, is a helpful resource in learning to discern those safe people with whom to share.

In a safe space, our emotional and relational wounds can be heard and held without judgment, and God’s love is expressed in compassion without the need to fix or diminish the importance of what is shared. It is also a place where trust is established, and new growth can come through loving challenges. This is a role and space that professional supervisors also offer.