Letters to the Editors

Our readers weigh in on recent articles.

Still appreciating

I have very much appreciated receiving and reading your monthly publication. Recently I received the November issue and was greatly taken by the article written by Torben Bergland entitled “Fired up or burned out?”

My wife and I work as the International Member Care coordinators in our Mission and are keenly aware of the stress, overload, and burnout potential within our workers. I would be very grateful if I could obtain permission to quote some of the text from Torben’s article along with an acknowledgment to him for an in-house article I am preparing.

And thanks again for a great periodical.

—Allen Teal, WORLD OUTREACH International

Still sharing

I just read “Paid in Full” that is in your January magazine. Pavel Goia’s testimony is so powerful that I would love to be able to share it. Our church sends out a weekly email that contains a devotion. I was wondering if it is possible to share this as the devotion. Thank you for sharing it with us!

—Liz Martin, Christ Church, a United Methodist Congregation, Racine, Wisconsin, United States

Still relevant?

I valued the November 2018 guest editorial (Peter N. Landless, “Our work is not yet done”) very much but as a retired minister aged 81 I wondered whether the title is still relevant. In this process of aging there is sense of one’s ministry no longer being valid. But I would like to make a case for the continued use of life experience.

I can recall from those times of active ministry when I sought the wisdom and support of senior retired members of the profession. In every aspect of life, we all need that patient listening ear of a person whom we trust. Retired clergy can often provide that “priestly” role.

—J. Lawson, Perthshire, Scotland

Response from author

I fully agree that retired clergy can be of great benefit as mentors and, yes, priests to those serving in one of the loneliest professions of all—pastoring! This role not only benefits those served and mentored, but very positively benefits the wholistic health of the one doing the mentoring. Of course, the mentors need to be measured, circumspect, and respectful in communicating the wonderful experience gained, often through lifetimes of selfless service. But we should encourage careful, intentional, and positive mentoring from one of our greatest resources: our retired pastors who so often have much to offer—if granted the opportunity.

—Peter Landless


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March 2019

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More Articles In This Issue

Sex and the clergy

“Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me” (Song of Sol. 2:13, NIV). The author argues that it’s time for pastors to raise their romantic game.

Need an accountability partner? #MeToo

“Am I my brother's keeper?” (Gen. 4:9, NKJV). Get help now to finish the race.

“Whosoever will . . .” Embracing everyone

“Come to Me, all . . .” (Matt. 11:28, NKJV). Is there really a place for everyone?

A theology of sexual intimacy1

“Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband” (Heb. 13:4, The Message). Affirm God’s prescriptions and perimeters.

Single moms—What pastors need to know

“For your Maker is your husband” (Isa. 54:5, NIV). How pastors can appreciate and mobilize a much-beloved segment of God’s church.

The paradox of intimate terrorism: 4 steps every church must take

“Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you” (Heb. 13:3, The Message). Is the church protecting victims or harboring terrorists?

Four tactics of attack against pornography

Practical pointers for pastors

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