Addressing the Weight of Caring for Souls and the Troubled Heart of the Pastor Through Biblical Counseling

Abstract

This thesis addresses how a pastor who is under a holy calling from God to guard his flock as well as his life and doctrine will sometimes find himself weary and isolated in the process. In times like these, he must gauge his need for personal care and know where to turn in difficult times. In this contemporary age self-care has become a mode of care many have turned to. While it is not unhealthy to self-care, this thesis argues that secular self-care models are inadequate for the total care of the pastor. The pastor, under the unique burden of ministry, must turn to one-another care in the church for the complete care of his soul. This thesis argues that in each area of his ministry, the pastor would be wise to look to an older or long-tenured pastor for guidance in certain seasons of life to guard his heart from becoming troubled. When faithfulness to the biblical model of one-another care is present in the pastor’s life his heart can find the care it needs in difficult times. So that he can live a life of faithfulness in his calling of guarding his heart and guarding his flock.