Ministry Connections
If there’s any truth to the teaching concerning the body of Christ, it’s that no one person can go it alone. If that’s true in the church, it’s doubly so in the Kingdom of God. No one ministry can meet the diverse needs that exist among clergy and churches in the world today. The following links are organizations we have found to minister with excellence and effectiveness.
Ministry Partner
Claybury International is an organization engaged in the care and development of Christian leaders, missionaries and Christian organizations on a global basis. It was established as The Claybury Trust in 1993 after its principal and co-founder, the Rev Colin Buckland, engaged in detailed research into the needs of Christian Leaders. The findings of the research led to the establishment of this ministry. The services provided have been built upon the clear needs that both experience and research have identified. Since 1993, Claybury has been used widely in the UK and around the world. In any year, their staff can be found in as many as 15 different countries.
Claybury also provides a “Clergy Getaway Guide” of properties available in the UK for pastors to use for renewal retreats. Contact them for pricing and availability.
Other Valuable Organizations
The following links are pastoral care and development agencies that we have found particularly helpful. While we do not officially endorse any ministry, we have had personal dealings with each of the ministries listed below and have found them very effective organizations.
Quiet Waters Ministries A ministry committed to ensuring that every Christian leader and family has a place to seek and find restoration and renewal. They offer both phone counseling and a wonderful retreat center for counseling intensives (9185 East Kenyon Ave, Suite 150, Denver, CO 80237. 303-639-9067 or 1-866-5-WATERS).
Barnabas Ministries (Nebraska) is an interdenominational ministry seeking to serve the body of Christ by providing encouragement, counseling and consulting for Christian leaders, including pastors, church leadership and missionaries (P.O. Box 45179, Omaha, Nebraska 68145, 402-895-5107, 1-800-882-4280).
Fairhaven Ministries Pastoral retreat and renewal center in the mountains of Tennessee. Great for sabbatical leave, and the optional counseling can be tailored to meet almost every need (2198 Roaring Creek Rd., Roan Mountain, TN 37687. 423-772-4269).
Barnabas Ministries (Michigan) -Barnabas Ministries exists to encourage and lift up others by undergirding them with prayer, training, and counsel. They have an ability to stand in support of these hurting people in difficult times, all the while remaining in the background. (1745 Hawthorn Court Macomb Township, MI 48044 586.465.9072)
Focus On The Family, Pastoral Ministries/Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO. Practical helps for pastoral families. Their clergy-specific help can be found at www.parsonage.org.
Marble Retreat Residential clergy crisis care in the mountains of Colorado. One of the best in the world for clergy in crisis (139 Bannockburn, Marble, CO 81623. 970-963-8781).
Minnesota Renewal Center Clergy counseling/crisis intervention and church mediation in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, area (3499 Lexington Ave North Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55126-7055. 651-486-4828).
Mountain Learning Center Pastoral renewal and counseling in the mountains of California (Russ and Kandy Veenker, P.O. Box 625, June Lake, CA 93529. 760-648-7060).
The National Clergy Support Network (Pastorcare) Nationwide pastoral care and support ministries. Partnering with God to promote emotional, relational, physical and spiritual health for pastors and their families. Operates nationwide (P.O. Box 888249, Grand Rapids, MI 49588, 866.451.2785)
The Clergy Recovery Network The National Association for Christian Recovery -The Clergy Recovery Network exists to support, encourage and provide resources to religious professionals in recovery (Box 215, Brea, CA 92822. 714-529-6227, Ext. 112).
The Vitality Care Chalet A place of renewal and restoration for those who serve in vocations of ministry (A ministry of the Family Care Center, 2821 Hillegas Road, Ft. Wayne, IN 46808, 260-471-1950).
Shepherd’s Refuge Providing an environment favorable to rest, refreshment and renewal of relationships with God and family, addressing the needs of leaders in the ministry of the gospel of Christ (Selah Ministries, P.O. Box 1907, Cleveland, GA 30528, 404-474-0686)
Pastors’ Retreat Network (Cedarly Pastors’ Retreat, WI; Selah Inn East Texas) -A five day self-directed retreat. Room and board are included and there are no fees involved. It is a time of rest and renewal, a time to reconnect with the Lord and with your spouse. (PO Box 180455, Delafield WI 53018, 414-828-4893
CareGivers Forum The national “connecting point” for people in pastoral care ministries. If you are contemplating opening a pastoral retreat center or a ministry to pastors, this is the place to connect with like-minded folks. CareGivers hosts a national gathering of pastoral caregivers each year. Check out their website for more information.