HEALING at the Top (cont’d.) Part II-V

“The Shepherd’s Cup”

Luke 4:23 (K J V): “And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.”

The Wounded Healer–continued (Part II)

Physician heal thyself creates the idea of self-help and self-healing, thus we have the paradox of a “wounded healer.”

Focus points

• to reflect on the contempt, ridicule, fault finding and accusations religious pretenders directed toward Jesus and the Gospel, yet faithful in all his work
• to  underscore the backdrop of pain and suffering many pastors are confronting in private, yet hoping to find a place for unanswered questions and support as we drink from the same cup
• to embrace and encourage one another as we release and minister to one another
• to find our source of strength when seemingly all strength has been taken…leaving us alone in the battle…while holding on to His unchanging hand.

Let’s continue…

How we may well apply the proverb…(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

4. To the proud moralist, who pours contempt upon the Gospel—

• [Many, like the Pharisees of old, adhere to the law of works, and regard the Gospel as foolishness. Their principles, they judge, are quite sufficient for the effecting of everything that is necessary for their salvation. Then, I say, ‘Prove it to us. You profess that you have satisfied others: but, before we can acquiesce in your high pretensions, we call upon you to satisfy us. ‘Physician, whoever thou art, heal thyself,” and let us see in thee a proof of the efficacy of those principles of which thou boastest. That they will suffice to “cleanse the outside of the cup and platter,” we readily admit: but that they will operate effectually to the cleansing of the inside, we greatly doubt.

But, in our view of religion, humility, and faith, and love, are very primary and essential parts: …and must consider thy rejection of the Gospel as a proof of thine own pride, ignorance, and unbelief]

• No one was, is or ever will be morally good enough to save himself). (Note: mine’s) Consider Jesus’ response to the rich young ruler’s question—“What must I do to be saved?”In other words the young man had asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16-23). Jesus responded, “If you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (verse 19).When the man asked Jesus to specify which commandments he should keep, Jesus recited six of the commandments, including “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19). The man replies, “All these I have kept. . . . What do I still lack?” (verse 20), and that is a key statement. The young man was obviously religious and sincere in his pursuit of righteousness. His problem was that he considered himself to be faultless concerning the Law.  The man was not willing to follow the Lord, if that meant he must give up his wealth. Thus, the man was breaking the two greatest commands; he did not love his neighbor as himself, and he did not love the Lord with all his heart. He loved himself (and his money) more. Far from keeping “all” the commandments, as he had claimed, the man was a sinner like everyone else…but with good morals.

5. To the censorious professor, who dishonors the Gospel—

• [Almost all classes of Christians are ready to censure and condemn those who differ from them: and, even in their own society, there are but too many who cast on each other unkind and censorious reflections: and, in fact, those who are the most faulty themselves are the foremost in finding fault with others. This disposition greatly prevailed amongst the Pharisaic Jews; who, boasting of their high privileges, were forward to condemn others, whilst they themselves were guilty of the very same or worse enormities than those which they censured in others.
• Hence St. Paul, in the true spirit of this proverb, reproved them; saying, “Thou who teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest, a man should not steal, dost thou steal? thou that sayest, a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege [Note: Romans 2:21-22.]?” Now, in this, must I reply to multitudes of professing Christians: do you complain of others as carnal and worldly and covetous, and are ye yourselves faulty in these respects? Do ye complain of pride, anger, and un-charitableness in others, and yet indulge them in yourselves? Do ye censure others for bigotry and intolerance, and yet betray the same unhallowed spirit towards those who differ from you?
• In a word, look at home; and let your severity be directed rather against your own defects, than the defects of others; and, instead of prescribing remedies so profusely to others, apply them first for the healing of the disorders of your own souls.]

6. To true believers, who desire to adorn and recommend the Gospel—

• [Be sure that those to whom you recommend the Gospel will first mark its operation upon your minds: and, if they see that it has done little or nothing for you, they will not be disposed to expect any great benefits from it to themselves. On the contrary, if they see that it has wrought a valuable change on you, they will be ready to receive it, in order that they themselves may be made partakers of the same benefits.
• Hence, your first care must be to experience all its sanctifying and saving operations in your own souls; that, when you commend it to others, you may be able to say, “What my eyes have seen, my ears have heard, and my hands have handled, of the word of life, that same declare I unto you [Note: 1 John 1:1-3.].” St. Paul could appeal to his hearers, “how holily, justly, and unblameably he had behaved himself among them [Note: 1 Thessalonians 2:10.]:” and could boldly say, “Whatsoever ye have heard and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you [Note: Philippians 4:9.].” This rendered his word incomparably more powerful than it would have been under other circumstances; and no doubt, if you also can make a similar appeal, whether you are a minister or a Christian believer, it will give ten-fold effect to your instructions.
• To all, then, I would say, labour first to improve the Gospel for the sanctification and comfort of your own souls; and then will those who behold the brightness of your light, acknowledge that God is with you of a truth; and that the Gospel, which has wrought such things for you, is worthy of universal acceptation.]

Our prayer…

___Dear God,

Strengthen each pastor that finds his cup bitter and unbearable with pain.  May the Holy Spirit give each one Comfort and may they find help through the One who knows best, and able to bear all things, strengthen us with all might…Our Lord, whom you have permitted to drink the pain in the cup.  In Jesus Name ~  Amen.

Part III

The Wounded Healer  ~In Pursuit of Wholeness

“Behold, I will bring it health and healing, and I will heal them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.” (Jeremiah 33:6)

Pastors and leaders are often leading in a complexity of matters within and surrounding the group they are charged to lead and feed as spiritual caregivers, but often face the same complexities as those they are leading…

When the Minister Needs Ministering

How do I Identify the Character of the ‘wounded healer’

How many of us pastors, are struggling to maintain our responsibilities at work or at home because of increased pressures?  How many are finding your energy level running almost on empty? What do you do when you’re the pastor, the leader, the teacher, the parent, the grandparent, the friend or the spouse–and you can’t seem to find the motivation or energy to encourage those under your care?  Where do you find encouragement for yourself?

Where does the encourager, the minister that needs ministering to, find a place cry, a safe place of encouragement and ministering?

First the bad news.

 Israel’s King David fell into adultery with Bathsheba, had her husband killed, then took her as his wife (2 Samuel, chapter 11). The apostle Peter denied Jesus, even to the point of calling curses upon himself and swearing, “I don’t know the man!” (Matthew 26:74) John Mark, on a ministry trip with the apostles Paul and Barnabas, abandoned the ministry and his fellow ministers (Acts 13:5,13).

Now the very good news. Three fallen leaders — an adulterous and violent King David, a Christ-denying apostle Peter, and a ministry-abandoning John Mark — were all restored to places of fruitful ministry. If you are a fallen leader and desire to get back to the Lord and to His service, consider a process drawn from the recovery and restoration of the fallen leaders David, Peter, and John Mark. May I remind you, we have no one to give to the devil to assist his evil deeds against the work of the Kingdom of God.

But before we go to the recovery and restoration process…

First, let’s identify how a minister or leader (it doesn’t matter the title or age) may have reached this point.

1. DANGEROUS LIAISONS

Usually, there are two categories of pastors who have played around with things such as porn or an extramarital affair: There are those who want to go underground with their sin and continue in it, and those who want out now!  Deliverance ministers delight in working with pastors who want out now! And deliverance is often required at this point because demonic strongholds have been set up in the pastor’s life.

Others have busy, overcrowded lives; some neglect on someone’s part; the freshness has gone from their devotional lives; perhaps a lack of accountability, marriage vows forsaken, financial tremors, disappointments in ministry, same-sex friends; and a loss of passion for holiness. Then a wandering eye sets in, which often leads to an affair or a debilitating addiction to pornography.

Some of these situations evolve from very harmless beginnings. A few unwise moves, …such as counseling a person of the opposite sex alone in the church office behind closed doors, instead of thinking of having a mature person of the opposite sex, sit in on the meeting to pray.

It is imperative that a pastor guard himself by taking appropriate measures to stop potential problems before they can start. If it’s not possible to have a third person present in a counseling session, the pastor should meet the counselee only with a door left open and a secretary or senior advisor sitting just outside.

It is important that pastors be warned about some of the women and men who will come to them for counseling. Some people’s motives, of course, are very legitimate, and it is up to the pastor or the counselors on staff to help them. But there are others who fall into the category of what I call very emotionally needy persons.

In many churches there are those–usually, but not exclusively, women–who have a spirit of manipulation and control called a Jezebel spirit.  There are many good-hearted people with strong personalities. This can evolve out of something very good in the beginning. Perhaps the person is a true intercessor or prayer warrior and spends much time in quality prayer and service for the church and its staff. Confidence is gained and often private information is passed along for prayer to that person.

2. RESISTING THE DEVIL

The question frequently asked this of pastors (age doesn’t matter anymore) is this: “Whatever happened to holiness?” Holiness is a major key to protecting oneself from seduction.

If Christian leaders would resist the devil, he would flee from them. But some of them get tired of striving for holiness, and they want just a tiny taste of what was impressed into their spirit through past spiritual ties, soul ties, and the rest and they are convinced they are missing it! Sexual sins are addictive, and addictions are hard to kick. Just ask anybody who gave up smoking, cocaine or alcohol.

“If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: (Colossians 2:21-23)  21“Donot handle, donot taste, donot touch!”?22These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom,with their self-prescribed worship,their false humility,and their harsh treatment of the body;but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

3. NO PERSONAL CONTROL. Is the person totally in control, or do they continually repeat, “I have prayed and confessed and cried but cannot get the victory over this besetting sin.” When praying, confessing and crying are not quite enough, it is a pretty good clue that perhaps a demonic presence is involved. In other words, the person does not control that particular problem; the problem controls the person.

4. SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS. Similar to the point above, but instead of only a feeling of helplessness setting in, hopelessness does, too.

5. A VOICE SAYS TO DO SOMETHING TERRIBLE. Usually the voice tells the person to commit suicide, embezzle church funds, molest a child or some violent act. Experts say some mental illnesses can be accompanied by voices that are not necessarily demonic in nature. But when the voice tells the person to do something clearly sinful, evil or deadly, you should investigate the possibility of demonic activity.

6. PAST INVOLVEMENT WITH OCCULTIC GROUPS. These groups range from engaging in the worship of a deity other than Jehovah God and His Son, Jesus Christ, to making use of magic or curses to harm others, to involvement in witchcraft and satanism.This includes Freemasonry, in which unholy vows and covenants are made that are demonic in nature and provide openings for curses.  Surprisingly, many church officers, pastors and leaders see no harm in participating as a member in these satanic and obscured groups. In fact, they boast of such hypocritical membership!

A person’s family history can be a key entry point of demonic activity.

Those in deliverance ministry have found that there seem to be certain spirits assigned to family lines because someone in the past opened up the door for them. These are usually called generational, or hereditary spirits. Following are five frequently encountered generational spirits:

1. Spirit of rejection. Many people feel emotionally abandoned by their parents. Typically, their parents were treated the same way by their parents.

2.  Suicide, anxiety and depression. These can often be traced to deeper issues in family lines. When any emotional or mental problem turns up, the next thing to do is to delve into family history. If the identical problem afflicted a family member in a previous generation, then you must first address that generational spirit by name before addressing the spirit currently troubling the person.

3. Spirit of lust. If someone says something such as, “My father had an affair; my grandmother wasn’t faithful; and my uncle ran a porn shop,” this would indicate a generational spirit of lust that has been passed down. When problems with lust appear at an early age, look for a generational spirit that is trying to get the person hooked on something very young in life.

4. Ancestral involvement with palm reading or astrology. Such practices may have allowed witchcraft into a family line. Witchcraft is particularly strong, and there are generally curses, spells and unholy covenants that affect children born into these families.

5. Spirit of addiction. Addictions to things such as alcohol, drugs, gambling, overspending, compulsive exercise, food, caffeine and the like are commonly known to run in families. A spirit of addiction can take on many forms and still be the same spirit. For example, a mom may have a problem with alcoholism, but her son may be afflicted with an addiction to drugs if alcoholism has not hooked him.
….These things are the internal stories but are there any external signs we should be noticing?

Part IV

The Wounded Healer~In Pursuit of Wholeness

The Signs and Negative Consequences of FRAGMENTATION

The need for healing and a sense of wholeness has become a widespread ache in many aspects of business and society (religion, politics & economic etc.) today because of the level of separateness, reductionism and fragmentation that has been created, it is all around us and we have lived with it our entire lives.

Humanity has experienced fragmentation on different levels with far reaching and sometimes disastrous effects. The challenge and confrontation on abortion and homosexuality has driven many to compromise, rather than to experience the discomfort of standing alone.

Barna report… the State of Pastors

Half of Christian pastors feel occasionally or frequently limited in their ability to speak out by concerns they will offend people, Barna reported.

Pastors also recognize how shifting views on sexuality will continue to impact the religious liberty landscape. Barna found that three-quarters (76%) of US clergy believe religious freedom is becoming less valued, and just under half (44%) predict that other freedoms will be at risk in the coming decade.

Religious Freedom Fears

Pastors from non-mainline Protestant traditions—generally evangelical groups like Southern Baptists, Pentecostals and charismatics, non-denominational Christians, and those from Wesleyan-Holiness backgrounds—are more likely than leaders from other traditions to believe that clergy play a unique role in defending religious freedom (72%). They are also the wariest about its future.

To understand the challenges to pastors’ well-being, researchers posed a series of questions to assess the risk of burnout, relational difficulties and spiritual setbacks. Questions included pastors’ self-assessment*of their emotional and mental health; their satisfaction with their vocation and confidence in their ability to minister effectively; the strength of their family and friend relationships; and how they feel about the spiritual dimension of their lives. Researchers then used pastors’ self-assessments to formulate risk metrics for burnout, relationship problems and spiritual issues. The items for each metric are shown below. Numerical values were assigned to all possible answers and, when responses were tallied, researchers found most pastors are doing well, ranking low on two of the three metrics. This under-scores one of the major findings of Barna’s The State of Pastors: Contrary to conventional wisdom, most pastors are faring well. https://www.barna.com/burnout-breakdown-barnas-risk-metric-pastors/

Feeling Reluctant to Speak Out

While most pastors feel it is an important part of their role to help congregants understand the sensitive social and cultural issues of our day, such topics are, well … sensitive. We wanted to know if pastors felt limited or pressured when it comes to speaking about controversial topics. Half of Christian pastors says they frequently (11%) or occasionally (39%) feel limited in their ability to speak out on moral and social issues because people will take offense. The other half of pastors say they only rarely (30%) or never (20%) feel limited in this way. When asked to identify the source of the concerns, pastors are much more likely to say that they feel limited by those inside the church than those outside. In other words, the reactions of those in the pews are most on the minds of today’s pastors.

On the flip side, do pastors feel pressured to speak out on moral and social issues before they feel comfortable discussing them? This happens less frequently: The majority says they either rarely (43%) or never (17%) feel pressured to speak out on topics they aren’t comfortable discussing. One-third of pastors (34%) says they occasionally do, and just 6 percent say they frequently feel pressured.

Again, most pastors say these pressures (69%) and limitations (64%) come from people inside their church. In particular, pressure is on the rise: Between 2014 and 2016, those ministers who feel pressured from inside their church to speak out on cultural issues (even if they’re not yet ready or not comfortable doing so) rose from 44 percent to 69 percent, a marked increase in a short period. https://www.barna.com/burnout-breakdown-barnas-risk-metric-pastors/

The Disaster of fragmentation…the disconnects

• The first level of fragmentation is that of the individual. From the time that a person is very small, there is isolation, compartmentalization, and classification according to varying and sizable degrees.  This fragmentation occurs psychologically (by classification of traits and characteristics), socially (through educational pursuits, modes of learning, and group and organizational affiliations), and emotionally (through increased awareness of hopes, intentions, and desires). Note: This level may lead an individual to socialize with ungodly counselors, thus appeasing psychological and emotional needs.
• The second level of fragmentation is organizationally. There is a propensity to break down or dismantle organizational systems and problems into smaller sub-systems and structures for the purpose of enhancing efficiency, responsiveness, and overall performance. This is a paradox of sorts because the more organizations are fragmented for the purpose of increasing performance, the more disconnects are created. These disconnects result in more independent modes of operating and less interaction and communication between units.  Note:There is often a plan to self-modify…self and others to keep it “business as usual” rather than seek needed help.
• The third level of fragmentation is societal, and this is perhaps where the greatest negative consequences lie. From a world and societal perspective, humanity has been dichotomized by race, religion, gender, ethnic background, economic status, technological capability, political affiliation, and by individual perspectives on sustainable development. Individual classifications, segregation, intense competition, ethical discord, ethnic conflict, economic and ecological imbalance, and over-consumption have splintered people and nations with largely disastrous results. This dichotomized world-view has impacted the nature of cooperation that is needed for long-term health, sustainability, and future prosperity. This level brings on divisions without God’s vision.

These 3 components may not be all that contribute to fragmentation of a pastor, but admittedly they sometimes bring disastrous results on our leaders, today.

Today, more than ever, we need servant leaders who have developed the capacity to heal and who have accepted their obligation to “help make others whole.”  Paradoxically, learning to heal others can lead to greater personal healing, a deeper sense of mission and renewed spirit.  Servant leaders who develop the capacity to heal – serve and enable others to perform at their highest potential which benefits business and society are often lacking in our churches.

Part V

The Wounded Healer~In Pursuit of Wholeness

Ministering to the Minister: Healing Is Serving- A Powerful Force for Change

Exceptional servant leaders seek to create wholeness (healing) on multiple levels: within themselves, through relationships with others and in service to the larger organizational & societal systems.

• Wholeness (healing) is sustained through greater inner awareness.  Self is the starting point for all great leadership – and servant leaders understand that they cannot seek to become more whole without a clear focus on developing the potential that exists within themselves.  In effect, they seek to heal themselves – it’s their obligation and accountability and they accept it willingly.  This self-development journey requires dedicated time be spent growing their inner self – engaging in activities that promote lifelong learning, growth, & personal discovery; taking part in reflective practices that stimulate insight and greater self-awareness; and seeking a greater sense of personal integration (a higher sense of congruency, clarity & centering).  They pursue development strategies that seek to eliminate self-serving boundaries, divisions and self-interest.
• Wholeness (healing) is cultivated through relational bond with others.  Servant leaders understand that wholeness (healing) for themselves and others is produced through relationships – it is something that is experienced as a function of the quality of relational association with others. The journey towards wholeness (healing) requires that dedicated time be spent cultivating relational bonds with others and building community – developing shared understanding, generating a sense of mutuality and caring, nurturing awareness, connection and appreciation for others, searching for opportunities to help others make meaningful contributions and engaging in activities that promote the increased self-worth, acceptance & capability in others.  Wholeness (healing) is inseparable from relationship.
• Wholeness (healing) occurs by taking a systems thinking perspective.  Servant leaders are systems thinkers when at their best.  They understand that when wholeness (healing) is experienced at the total system level (organization, community, and world) – a framework of sustainability for the future is created.  They help organizations understand that this is a capability that they already possess.  They help their organizations to value and utilize the differences with the system to elevate its collective competence and achieve breakthrough levels of improvement.  They do this by: involving as many people as possible in the journey of change; fostering an appreciative spirit and focus the system’s effort on the possibilities for the future; embracing diversity and inclusiveness at all levels to create shared understanding; developing system infrastructures of communication and feedback to measure and communicate progress; promoting self-organization groups who have the will, experience, and energy to address opportunities and new possibilities.  Ultimately, servant leaders seek to promote wholeness (healing) through system contributions that increase awareness and understanding about how to live and function more responsibly and act as stewards of the critical resources that have been entrusted to them.

Renewing the Spirit of a Leader

1. Who is Holding You Accountable?

2 Samuel 12:1-20; Psalm 52, describes what David did after Nathan confronted him …holding him accountable in regard to his sin with Bathsheba. It changed David’s view of himself and his relationship with the Lord!

2. Rest and Recharge.Get away if necessary…That’s right. Refuse worry and embrace gratefulness

3. Talk to a Trusted Friend, Prayer Partner or Loved One.    Most of us don’t like to admit weakness. What will people think?

4. Swallow your pride.  Self-importance is an illusion.   Find a good friend who will listen objectively. We have this mistaken notion that people will think less of us as Christians if we can’t handle every situation in our lives perfectly. But the Word of God reminds us that in our weakness we are made strong. “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”Now that’s a shouting piece!!! (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

So Where Are You On the Path Towards Wholeness?

Servant leaders understand that healing and wholeness is a dynamic, and a never-ending pursuit.  The journey metaphor for healing and wholeness is appropriate because the journey is where the greatest amount of learning takes place.  Because the journey towards healing and wholeness is a lifelong pursuit, one must understand that he or she will pave the way for others to follow by their example. The body of Christ is in need of a Nathan for a fallen King David; a  praying like Jesus partner for a denying and cursing Peter;  a Paul and Barnabas for a ministry-abandoning John Mark!

Once we have been transformed, fostered unity, praised God, and given encouragement to one another, we will be ready to integrate our individual healing experiences into a corporate one.

Anywhere where there will be an opportunity to be able to make an impact in the life of an individual, the opportunity for healing can take place. From a Christian perspective, it requires that we are both able to listen and be empathetic to others in order for healing to be accomplished.

Conclusion~

Are you a fallen Christian leader? There is great hope of restoration and recovery for you! Jesus Christ still has a great future for you. The process is simple. (1) Let godly sorrow bring you to a place of sincere repentance for your sins. Jesus will forgive! (2) Turn back to Jesus with all your heart. He will receive you! And (3) find a “Barnabas” to help you. Ask a godly pastor or elder or mature Christian to help you through your time of recovery. The process will take time, commitment, and a willingness to be teachable and to be corrected. But God will use this biblical process to bring you back to a place of fruitful service to Him.

Don’t wait another day! Let your heart be stirred by the Holy Spirit with a godly sorrow for sin. Turn your life back to Jesus — or to Him for the first time — and resolve to keep your eyes on Him every day. And find a God-fearing “Barnabas” to mentor you and to walk with you through this exciting turning point in your life!Is anything too hard for the Lord…? God said….

“Behold, I will bring it health and healing, and I will heal them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.” (Jeremiah 33:6)

Our prayer-

Lord Jesus, Each Pastor and leader who is wounded, weak, fallen,in despair or discouragement,release your Word of promise to heal and reveal and release abundance of life to them and the ministry you have called them to.  Bring peace and truth to their heart and mind as you are the Only One controlling the wind and storms of life.  Thank you Lord for restoring the Joy of their salvation, their bond in fellowship, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, the love and gratitude we know in you and with one another.   Halleluiah and Amen!

His Servant,

Dr. Clara Malvin

Next …don’t miss…The Pain of Preaching and Preaching in Pain