¶161. II. THE NURTURING COMMUNITY  

The community provides the potential for nurturing human beings into the fullness of their humanity. We believe we have a responsibility to innovate, sponsor, and evaluate new forms of community that will encourage development of the fullest potential in individuals. Primary for us is the gospel understanding that all persons are important – because they are human beings created by God and loved through and by Jesus Christ and not because they have merited significance. We therefore support social climates in which human communities are maintained and strengthened for the sake of all person and their growth. We also encourage all individuals to be sensitive to others by using appropriate language when referring to all persons. Language of a derogatory nature (with regard to race, nationality, ethnic background, gender, sexuality, and physical differences) does not reflect value for one another and contradicts the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Discipline continues to address the following:

A). The Family.

C). Marriage.

D.) Divorce.

E). Single Persons.

F). Women and Men.

G). Human Sexuality.

H). Family Violence and Abuse.

I). Sexual Harassment.

J). Abortion.

K). Ministry to those who have experienced an Abortion.

L). Adoption.

M). Faithful Care for Dying Persons. and

N). Suicide.

It is my belief and calling that all of the above mentioned Social Principles can be helped through Christ-Centered Counseling. Not just for the laity but for the Clergy and the families of Clergy as well.


Some interesting statistics from George Barna Research for thought:

• 73% expect clergy to live up to a higher standard of moral and ethical conduct than they expect of them self or others

• 40% of Protestant pastors do not believe that their present church experience is significantly enhancing their relationship with Jesus Christ.

• 49% contend that their family life has suffered significantly as a result of the pressures and demands of their ministry.

• The average length of a pastoral career is just fourteen years

• Only one out of seven (14%) pastors rate themselves high in providing leadership for their church

• 10 Southern Baptist Church pastors leave their ministry every month—SBC LeaderCare

• Bad behavior of church members is leading cause (80%) of burnout—Klaas

• 80% of pastors are discouraged or are dealing with depression

• 84% of their spouses are discouraged or dealing with depression

• 40% of pastors are suffering from burnout, frantic schedules and unrealistic expectations

• 1500 pastors leave their assignments each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention within their local congregations.

Daily Bread Counseling offers private and confidential counseling for pastors, their families and staff. You have someone who cares and can help.

Highland Valley United Methodist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas
First United Methodist Church, Benton, Arkansas
First United Methodist Church, Dardanelle, Arkansas 
Arkansas Conference of The United Methodist Church