Pastors are in crisis.
More than ever, our shepherds need hope, care and advocacy.
A career that can kill.
Does this headline bother you? It should. Do you recognize any of these names…
Isaac Hunter.
Teddy Parker Jr.
Jarrid Wilson.
Darrin Patrick.
They were all Pastors. Before they took their own lives.
You’ve likely never heard the heartbreaking story of Pastor John Gibson. The 56-year-old father of two was found dead by his wife Christi in their New Orleans home. Lying next to his lifeless body was a suicide note. The note acknowledged his deep shame and humiliation, after hackers released his name as a subscriber to the Ashley Madison adultery website.
Pastors are high value targets of our enemy.
The expectations are high. The work is 24/7. The pay can be minimal. And the stress can at times can feel insurmountable.
More times that not, Pastors and spiritual leaders feel trapped and isolated in their own brokenness. Confession to an elder, colleague or parishioner may well cost them their career. There are plenty of pastors guising as car and insurance salesmen today in America, because they didn’t get the right help.
*According to national surveys:
77% of pastors feel they do not have a good marriage.
75% of pastors feel they are unqualified to lead their church.
38% of pastors are divorced or currently in a divorce process.
64% of pastors regularly escape into pornography.
30% of pastors say they’ve had an affair or committed adultery.
*Francis Schaffer Institute, Focus on the Family, Josh McDowell Ministries
Jesus asked us a pointed question about losing one sheep:
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?
~The 18th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel
If it’s worth leaving everything to rescue one lost sheep, is it even possible to place a value on rescuing one lost shepherd?
The Confessional is a gift to pastors and spiritual leaders around the world. Each confession is responded to privately and personally by Blaine Bartel with prayer and compassion. If requested by the confessor, Blaine will also provide confidential conversation and counsel.
Are you a pastor or spiritual leader with a secret struggle? Are you fearful of telling anyone in your own circle of friends and colleagues? This space was created just for you.
And it is curated by a fellow warrior who was mortally wounded on the field of battle — and has been resurrected to speak into your life. Blaine is waiting to hear from you.