Take Rest
Even the Lord himself, in his full humanity, took rest when he needed it. Working hard is spoken of throughout the scriptures as a positive trait of Godly living. However, it is also important to be wise in our decision making. Setting healthy boundaries is important because our own self-development is an integral part of our ability to minister to others. In this world, we will suffer tribulation, and for this reason, it is important to understand how to care for ourselves, other leaders in the church, congregants, the community, and families.
Public Self Care
In public it is important to develop healthy boundaries. Without such boundaries, it would be easy for us to be consumed by the troubles of this life. The scriptures specifically warn against this as Jesus expounds on the meaning of the Parable of the Sower by saying, “but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Mark 4:19 ESV). It is important to guard our heart as we minister to a lost and dying world, but it is equally as important to grow in our own walk with Christ as we fulfill our roles as ministers of God.
Private Self Care
Prayer is an integral part of the Christian life, and it is important for each child of God to have some personal time with the Lord. This quiet time to meditate on the Word and communicate with God is, in my opinion, extremely important to our walk with Christ. Taking time for ourselves to “recharge” is something even our Lord did after periods of performing ministry duties. In his book on Pastoral Care and Counseling, Gordon Lynch states that there are values we have that impact the way we behave, and we are not always aware of these values. This showcases the importance of private self-care. Caring for yourself, loving yourself showcased in Ephesians chapter 5, is an important part of growth and maturing in the faith.
Pastoral Care
God chooses individuals to serve as pastors for the purpose of caring for the flock. A pastor, according to 1 Peter chapter 5 verses 2 and 3, is to watch over the flock and serve as an example to the congregation. Peter states that pastors should be examples to the flock and not be domineering. In terms of healthy boundaries, a pastor must be led by the spirit of God to lead others in the ways of Christ. If the pastor is being led by the spirit, he can set an example for others.
The National Association of Evangelicals produced a Code of Ethics which states that accountability is key to the organization and functioning of the church. It is even possible to see this in the New Testament Epistles, namely in 1 Corinthians, where Paul holds a certain member of the congregation accountable for sin, but later Paul encourages the church to allow the repentant man back into fellowship to be encouraged. Therefore, pastors need to set healthy boundaries in terms of the behavior of congregants and leaders.
One of the major components of a pastor’s duty to care for leaders and congregants is the focus on individual growth or discipleship. The pastor is in a sense “walking” with the leadership of the church and other congregants toward the perfect image of Christ, which we all must be conformed to. However, in terms of healthy boundaries, it is important for the pastor to acknowledge that “you have one instructor, the Christ.” (Matthew 23:10 ESV). Therefore, a pastor’s ability to lead the flock will be founded on his relationship with the Lord.
In terms of healthy boundaries, it is important for the pastor to remember his own need for growth and discipleship. In his care for others, he may find himself in need of pastoral care. Which is why it is important to link pastoral care with self-care, both public and private. If the pastor is not feeding himself, he will soon find himself unable to feed others. Often this can be an issue of pride, and pride can make us feel as if we are not bound by any limitations. Our limitations are left in us to remind us of our need to rely on Christ.
Community Care
The Church of God is the pillar and buttress of the truth. As such, the role the church plays in the community is extremely important. The pastor or pastors of the church and deacons are tasked with building up congregants for the purpose of going out into the world to minister. The Church holds the oracles of the living God, and the Church is the method by which God reveals his Son to this lost and dying world. It is extremely important for congregants to see themselves as ambassadors to preach the Gospel, care for the needy, and love others as Christ loves us.
Family Care
The family unit is beyond important. Spouses, children, parents, and other familial relationships form the backbone of the church family. The Word of God says that we are one body in Christ, and as such we are tightly knit together. Each one of us serves a purpose, and not one part can say to any other, “I have no need of you” (1 Cor 12:21). Caring for the family unit means caring for each individual’s spiritual and physical needs as the spirit leads. Philip Gill, in his writings about pastoral care in the light of death in the family, says that the bedside of a dying patient is no time for theological debate. This kind of discernment and care for not only doctrine and the application of knowledge but wisdom in the context of caring for the well-being of the individual or individuals is pivotal.
Setting healthy boundaries is a very important part of spiritual formation in a Christian’s life. The Word of God says that our mind is being renewed day by day. Learning the ways of God by reading his Word, listening to the wisdom of other Christians, and applying things we have learned will give us the foundation we need to live a life full of the good works God has prepared for us. Wisdom tells us that boundaries keep us from self-harm, and self-care keeps us from going too far off the narrow path.
References
Lynch, Gordon. 2002. Pastoral care and counselling. n.p.: London ; Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage Publications, 2002., 2002. GCU Library Catalog, EBSCOhost (accessed September 5, 2018).
Gates, Jeffery. "Self-care: a Christian perspective." Evangelical Review Of Theology 39, no. 1 (January 2015): 4-17. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed September 5, 2018).
Even the Lord himself, in his full humanity, took rest when he needed it. Working hard is spoken of throughout the scriptures as a positive trait of Godly living. However, it is also important to be wise in our decision making. Setting healthy boundaries is important because our own self-development is an integral part of our ability to minister to others. In this world, we will suffer tribulation, and for this reason, it is important to understand how to care for ourselves, other leaders in the church, congregants, the community, and families.
Public Self Care
In public it is important to develop healthy boundaries. Without such boundaries, it would be easy for us to be consumed by the troubles of this life. The scriptures specifically warn against this as Jesus expounds on the meaning of the Parable of the Sower by saying, “but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Mark 4:19 ESV). It is important to guard our heart as we minister to a lost and dying world, but it is equally as important to grow in our own walk with Christ as we fulfill our roles as ministers of God.
Private Self Care
Prayer is an integral part of the Christian life, and it is important for each child of God to have some personal time with the Lord. This quiet time to meditate on the Word and communicate with God is, in my opinion, extremely important to our walk with Christ. Taking time for ourselves to “recharge” is something even our Lord did after periods of performing ministry duties. In his book on Pastoral Care and Counseling, Gordon Lynch states that there are values we have that impact the way we behave, and we are not always aware of these values. This showcases the importance of private self-care. Caring for yourself, loving yourself showcased in Ephesians chapter 5, is an important part of growth and maturing in the faith.
Pastoral Care
God chooses individuals to serve as pastors for the purpose of caring for the flock. A pastor, according to 1 Peter chapter 5 verses 2 and 3, is to watch over the flock and serve as an example to the congregation. Peter states that pastors should be examples to the flock and not be domineering. In terms of healthy boundaries, a pastor must be led by the spirit of God to lead others in the ways of Christ. If the pastor is being led by the spirit, he can set an example for others.
The National Association of Evangelicals produced a Code of Ethics which states that accountability is key to the organization and functioning of the church. It is even possible to see this in the New Testament Epistles, namely in 1 Corinthians, where Paul holds a certain member of the congregation accountable for sin, but later Paul encourages the church to allow the repentant man back into fellowship to be encouraged. Therefore, pastors need to set healthy boundaries in terms of the behavior of congregants and leaders.
One of the major components of a pastor’s duty to care for leaders and congregants is the focus on individual growth or discipleship. The pastor is in a sense “walking” with the leadership of the church and other congregants toward the perfect image of Christ, which we all must be conformed to. However, in terms of healthy boundaries, it is important for the pastor to acknowledge that “you have one instructor, the Christ.” (Matthew 23:10 ESV). Therefore, a pastor’s ability to lead the flock will be founded on his relationship with the Lord.
In terms of healthy boundaries, it is important for the pastor to remember his own need for growth and discipleship. In his care for others, he may find himself in need of pastoral care. Which is why it is important to link pastoral care with self-care, both public and private. If the pastor is not feeding himself, he will soon find himself unable to feed others. Often this can be an issue of pride, and pride can make us feel as if we are not bound by any limitations. Our limitations are left in us to remind us of our need to rely on Christ.
Community Care
The Church of God is the pillar and buttress of the truth. As such, the role the church plays in the community is extremely important. The pastor or pastors of the church and deacons are tasked with building up congregants for the purpose of going out into the world to minister. The Church holds the oracles of the living God, and the Church is the method by which God reveals his Son to this lost and dying world. It is extremely important for congregants to see themselves as ambassadors to preach the Gospel, care for the needy, and love others as Christ loves us.
Family Care
The family unit is beyond important. Spouses, children, parents, and other familial relationships form the backbone of the church family. The Word of God says that we are one body in Christ, and as such we are tightly knit together. Each one of us serves a purpose, and not one part can say to any other, “I have no need of you” (1 Cor 12:21). Caring for the family unit means caring for each individual’s spiritual and physical needs as the spirit leads. Philip Gill, in his writings about pastoral care in the light of death in the family, says that the bedside of a dying patient is no time for theological debate. This kind of discernment and care for not only doctrine and the application of knowledge but wisdom in the context of caring for the well-being of the individual or individuals is pivotal.
Setting healthy boundaries is a very important part of spiritual formation in a Christian’s life. The Word of God says that our mind is being renewed day by day. Learning the ways of God by reading his Word, listening to the wisdom of other Christians, and applying things we have learned will give us the foundation we need to live a life full of the good works God has prepared for us. Wisdom tells us that boundaries keep us from self-harm, and self-care keeps us from going too far off the narrow path.
References
Lynch, Gordon. 2002. Pastoral care and counselling. n.p.: London ; Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage Publications, 2002., 2002. GCU Library Catalog, EBSCOhost (accessed September 5, 2018).
Gates, Jeffery. "Self-care: a Christian perspective." Evangelical Review Of Theology 39, no. 1 (January 2015): 4-17. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed September 5, 2018).
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