By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Pastoral Leadership Director Ray Swift announced that resources are available for ministers who need someone to lean on.
Swift said the Convention’s ‘Shepherd’s Rest’ ministry provides support for a pastor to take a brief sabbatical (up to four Sundays) with the assurance that the church where he serves will have pastoral oversight. This ministry is provided at no cost to the pastor or congregation.
“Pastors should know they don’t have to face it alone,” Swift told the Baptist Message. “The reality is every pastor, every church, is facing similar distractions, difficulties and problems. The best resource we have is to reach out to one another and speak to another pastor and engage in guidance from the LBC. Most of all we have God. His promise is He is going to build the church and no pandemic or hurricane can stop that.”
Swift also shared that the Pastoral Leadership team is available to help congregations seeking a permanent pastor – by providing training for search committees, something he said should be helpful at this time when 257 of 1,611 congregations are without pastors.
For more information about the ‘Shepherd’s Rest’ ministry click here. Swift also may be contacted at 318.448.3402 or via email ray.swift@louisianabaptists.org.
