Georgia WMU dedicates state's first guest house for ministers in crisis

CLAYTON - Last year in Georgia there was one forced termination of a church minister for nearly every Sunday morning, every Sunday evening, and every Wednesday night service in the year. By the time 2002 came to a close, 128 ministers had been forced from their positions of leadership in Georgia Baptist churches.

Safety nets for those individuals and their families have been few and far between, if they existed at all. But this week, the first such haven of rest is being introduced with the rededication on Oct. 18 for a new ministry of the Dorothy Pryor Guest House at Camp Pinnacle.

Georgia Woman's Missionary Union is taking the lead in the healing process between hurting churches and ministers by providing the guest house for ministers and their families in crisis. The three-bedroom, two-bath house, previously named in honor of retired Georgia WMU Executive Director Dorothy Pryor, will transition to a new ministry of reconciliation as it seeks to help ministers and their families return to profitable service for Christ.

The facility was completely remodeled earlier this year by volunteers from First Baptist Church of Blairsville. See related story on page 2.

During the dedication ceremony WMU President Ann Watts of Sharpsburg and WMU Executive Director Barbara Curnutt described the guest house as a resource not just for ministers who have been terminated but as a place for them and their families to heal before problems escalate.

 

Defusing potentially explosive situations

Many seemingly hopeless situations can be redeemed if there is a "cooling off" period where the minister and his family - as well as the church - can take stock of the situation, Watts explained. The guest house will play a valuable role in those settings where potentially explosive situations can be defused through prayer, counseling, and mediation.

Robert Anderson, pastoral care consultant with the state convention, said a hidden strength of the ministry will be the counseling that will be provided through the office of Church-Minister Relations Ministries. The Georgia Baptist Convention will be a willing partner in the healing process by providing counseling to save the ministries of spouses as well as children, he explained.

Anderson praised Georgia WMU for the wisdom and insight in providing the guesthouse for those in need, and pledged the resources of the state convention to help in the healing process. His office will work with WMU in scheduling the facility, which will be primarily for short-term use.

"Because of your sensitivity, you are giving ministers and their families a place to go and regain their focus before a termination becomes a reality. And in so doing, you are also helping churches to step back and take a second look at what could become a spiritually damaging situation for them and their minister's family. We pray that this will become a ministry of reconciliation between both parties."

Joe Moss, camp administrator, echoed the spirit of cooperation between the GBC and WMU which will undergird the ministry.

"Throughout the future, untold numbers of families will come here, hurting and bruised, but will hear from God that He loves them and has sent some of his special servants to minister to them."

 

"God is in the healing business"

Bobby Boswell, assistant executive director at the GBC, conceded that "sometimes such problems are the fault of the pastor, and other times not. Sometimes the problems are rooted in financial or marital conflicts, or the stress of raising young children or teenagers.

"But God is in the healing business and wants all of His servants to be effective in their service to Him. It will be exciting to see the future ministers and their families who will walk through these doors and sense a new calling in helping to build His kingdom," he added.

Nancy Burgess, minister's wives coordinator who works through the WMU office, said the facility will prove to be a valuable asset to 80 percent of ministers and 84 percent of their wives who report they live in a state of discouragement in their ministry.

"This guest house is dedicated to serving as an oasis of healing for those servants who are called to bring others to a redemptive relationship with God," she said.