Posted: 5/30/03
Ministers offered free counseling
DALLAS (BP)–Too often, Christian leaders have personal problems but feel they have no place to turn, Mac Brunson says.
But the pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas has helped put together a ministry to some of those hurting leaders. This year's Southern Baptist Convention Pastors' Conference, headed by Brunson, will join with Focus on the Family and Hope for the Heart to offer free Christian counseling to pastors, staff members, missionaries and their families Sunday and Monday, June 15-16.
To ensure anonymity, the counseling will take place away from the Phoenix Civic Plaza. Focus on the Family's H.B. London Jr. and Hope for the Heart's June Hunt will lead a team of counselors.
Confidential appointments can be made by calling Hope for the Heart at (800) 488-HOPE (4673) between 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. Central time. Names are not required; registration numbers will be assigned. Appointments will be made in the order they are received.
The ministry adds to what was already a family-oriented event. The theme of the conference will be “Building Kingdom Families,” and the first-ever Kingdom Family Rally will take place Monday night, June 16.
“It adds a dimension that I've never known the convention to have before,” Brunson said.
Both Hunt and London say Christian leaders are dealing with a variety of problems. London said the key issues fall into five categories: marital issues; family issues; contention in the local church; the balance between ministry and home life; and addictive personalities and perversions (Internet addiction, television addiction, etc.).
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