There’s more ministry for ministers today than ever before—but how do you find it? Here’s a start.
We know it’s only a beginning. There are far too many counselors, retreats, and vacation getaways for us to list here. Please remember that we’re a journal, not a certification board. You’ll want to inquire about theological orientation, counseling approach, cost, and other issues before deciding which resource best meets your need.
Pastor’s pastors Counselors, clinics, and retreat centers for your spiritual and emotional health.
Barnabas Ministries Dick and Dee Sochacki 39391 Roslyn Drive Sterling Heights MI 48313 810-264-6638 E-mail: Rlsochacki@compuserve.comEncourages wounded, discharged, burned-out, and fallen church leaders, especially in independent and nondenominational ministries. Provides counseling, places of retreat, and other resources.
Center for Continuing Education Richard Busch Virginia Theological Seminary (ECUS) 3737 Seminary Road Alexandria VA 22304con-ed@vts.eduSix-week program for clergy of all denominations offered each spring.
Charis Counseling Services Frank Green 7716 Fall Branch Court Wake Forest NC 27587 919-556-1887 E-mail: 75534.1206@compuserve.comwww.teleport.com/~charisTwo-week retreat programs for individuals or couples.
Eagle’s Nest Retreat John Gowins P. O. Box 437 Ouray CO 81427 800-533-4049Professional counseling, vacations at minimal cost in San Juan Mountains.
Fairhaven Ministry Kevin Swanson 2198 Roaring Creek Road Roan Mountain TN 37687 423-772-4269 E-mail: fhmin@aol.comwww.fairhaven1.comA safe place to which Christian leaders come for counseling, or just for rest and relaxation, with qualified counselors available upon request. Facilities are deliberately first class as part of the healing atmosphere.
Gray Fox Ranch Walter and Francoise Becker P. O. Box 434 Alto NM 88312 877-472-9333www.grayfox.orgA retreat for ministers and spouses in a mountain resort area. One couple at a time spends a week at the ranch for counseling on personal, marital, and vocational concerns. The Beckers, licensed therapists, provide daily individual and couple sessions.
Kettering Clergy Care Center Robert Peach 3535 Southern Blvd. Dayton OH 45429 800-324-8618 E-mail: bob_peach@ketthealth.comwww.ketthealth.com/clergycareOffers professional counseling, intensive residential counseling, clergy burnout prevention, clergy marriage enrichment, instruction for boards of congregations, and marital assessment programs. Provides The Ministry Care Line, a subscription phone consultation program.
Lake Martin Marriage Retreat Forrest Mobley 1677 Andrews Mill Road Tallassee AL 36078 334-857-2165 E-mail: 72203.533@compuserve.comFour to six couples gather for teaching and counseling, led by the Mobleys.
Link Care Center Brent Lindquist 1734 West Shaw Avenue Fresno CA 93711 559-439-5920 E-mail: 75027.2265@compuserve.comwww.linkcare.orgProvides comprehensive counseling, tailored to the participant, from one week to several months long. Staff includes psychologists, psychiatrists, marriage and family counselors, and other consultants. At any time, from twenty to twenty-five families are in residence (in apartments), receiving care.
Marble Retreat Dr. Louis and Melissa McBurney 139 Bannockburn Marble CO 81623 970-963-2499 E-mail: 72040.1367@compuserve.comwww.marbleretreat.orgSince 1974, interdenominational retreat center to help those in ministry through Christ-centered, brief, intensive psychotherapy. Group and individual counseling for couples and singles in 12-day format. Central Rockies lodge with all amenities.
Mountain Learning Center Russell R. Veenker P. O. Box 625 June Lake CA 93529 760-648-7060 E-mail: pastorcarerus@telis.orgA two week mountain retreat for ministry couples.
Pine Harbor Ministry Center Renewal Ministries Blair and Wendy Dalton Box 740100 Indian Tree Station Arvada CO 80006 303-467-0777 888-27 PSALM E-mail: info@renewalministries.orgwww.RenewalMinistries.orgCenter in the Rockies offers eight-day planned retreats for ministry couples and other group and individual opportunities. Luxury accomodations and gourmet meals.
SonScape Re-Creation Ministries Bob Sewell P.O. Box 7777 Woodland Park CO 719-687-7007 E-mail: sonscape@usa.netwww.sonscape.comEight-day retreat, spiritual formation in small groups. Private cottages. Counseling available.
Stone Gate Resources Dr. Harry W. Schaumburg 11509 Palmer Divide Road Larkspur, CO 80118 888-575-3030 E-mail: stonegater@cs.comwww.stonegateresources.comOffers brief, intensive counseling, specializing in sexual issues, to Christian leaders. Sessions of individual/ couple counseling are held for ten days in a retreat setting.
Tuscarora Resource Center 870 Sunrise Blvd. Mt. Bethel PA 18343 570-897-5115 E-mail: trccares@ptdprolog.netwww.tuscarora.org/trcShort-term, intensive counseling in Pocono Mountains retreat center, off-site counseling and referrals.
Westwood Ministries Dave Gentry 800 Lodge Road Mertzon TX 76941 915-835-2430 E-mail: westwood@wcc.netCare for wounded clergy and their families through retreats and counseling.
Woodshore Counseling Retreat Jack Woodburn 125 Sturdevant Road Smiths Creek MI 48074 810-984-6433www.woodshore.comTwo-week counseling sessions in a wooded retreat setting. Outdoor recreation.
Resources and referrals People who can point you to people who can help.
Focus on the Family Pastoral Ministries Department H. B. London, Jr. Colorado Springs CO 80995 719-531-3360 Toll-free Care Line: 887-233-4455www.family.org/pastorPublishes the “Pastoral Care Directory” listing many more retreats, counselors, support groups, and consultants; “Pastor to Pastor” cassettes and “The Pastor’s Weekly Briefing” fax letter.
PastorCare: The National Clergy Support Network P. O. Box 52044 Raleigh NC 27612 E-mail: pstrcare@concentric.netwww.concentric.net/~pstrcare
PastorNet, a ministry of EQUIP John Maxwell, founder Dennis Worden, director P.O. Box 7700 Atlanta GA 30357 770-239-5222 E-mail: dennis@injoy.comwww.PastorsNet.orgPublishes CareGiver Ministries directory, on-line and print editions, linking pastors and their families with more than 180 care providers.
Rapha 5500 Interstate North Parkway Suite 102 Atlanta GA 30328 800-383-4673 (24 hours)www.rapha-hope.comInpatient and outpatient treatment at 14 centers nationwide.
Retreats International Gail Klaer Box 1067 Notre Dame IN 46556 219-631-5320Publishes directory of 350 retreat centers, Catholic and ecumenical, in U.S. and Canada.
The Clergy Recovery Network P. O. Box 215 Brea CA 92822 714-529-6227 E-mail: hopehappens@earthlink.netwww.christianrecovery.com/graceworks.shtmlMinistry to clergy in recovery from alcohol, substance, and sexual abuse.
Denominational HeadquartersMany denominations have counseling services and retreat centers open to all clergy. Ask a fellow pastor for a referral.
Getaways Low cost and free vacation spots especially for ministers.
Cedarly Retreat Dwayne and Rita Hanon P. O. Box 180455 Delafield WI 53018 414-646-7772 E-mail: cedarly@execpc.comwww.cedarly.orgOn the shore of Upper Nemahbin Lake, a restored manor house and carriage house accomodate six couples. Free to ministers.
Escape House in Stoddard, New Hampshire Rob and Debbie Killeffer 192 West Street Braintree MA 02184 781-356-8286 E-mail: MrsPastor7@aol.comhttp://members.aol.com/mrspastor7/This “getaway” home owned by a pastor and his wife overlooks Island Pond, 90 minutes from Boston. Contemporary, two bedroom, comfortably sleeps seven. Available Easter to Thanksgiving. $75/day. Other financial arrangements possible.
Harvest Prayer Center Dave and Kim Butts 11991 E. Davis Road Brazil IN 47834 812-443-5800 E-mail: dave2000ad@aol.comwww.harvestprayer.comTwo bedroom guest house, cabin-style, on 65 wooded acres. Suggested stay is one week. Donation basis.
Hospitality Homes International Makahiki Ministries Lenora Shipp P. O. Box 415 Mariposa CA 95338 209-966-2988 E-mail: makahiki@yosemite.netA network of 120 private homes available on donation basis.
Mountain Top Retreat Charley and Bev Blom 13705 Cottonwood Canyon Road Bozeman MT 59715 406-763-4566 E-mail: mountaintopmin@mcn.netwww.mcn.net/~mountaintopminThree homes and a larger guest house in a mountain setting. Special rates for ministers starting at $30/night. Yellowstone National Park, fishing, hiking nearby. Counseling and spiritual direction on request.
Religious Vacations, Inc. Hugh Hoffman 524 NE 16th Court Ft. Lauderdale FL 33305 954-763-8400Two houses available in Ft. Lauderdale. You pay utilities. Deposit returned if you stay two full weeks.
Sky Ranch Wendel Weaver 24657 County Road 448 Van TX 75790 903-569-3482www.skyranch.orgConference center for staff events, hideaway lodge for ministers and spouses.
Triple Creek Ranch (Illinois) Rancho Mira Sol (Colorado) Jim and Ginny Neece P. O. Box 348 Elizabeth IL 61028 815-858-2435 E-mail: gneece1@juno.comModern, private guest houses in rustic settings, free to ministers.
(Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement of the ministries, their representatives, or their methods of providing counseling, care, and consulting. LEADERSHIP and Christianity Today International cannot accept responsibility for actions taken by anyone representing any group or individuals on this list.)
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