Ministry Mix
Real conversations for the strategies and souls of ministry leaders.
Our goal is to bring you a mix of conversations on topics you are thinking about to help you lead more strategically and care for your soul more intentionally.
Phil is the pastor of Connecting Church in Abingdon, MD. He also trains church planters with the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and serves as an adjunct instructor at Liberty University. Phil is married to Pam and has three children.
Richard is the pastor of Canvas Church in Salisbury, MD. He also serves as the Church Planting Leader for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and as a Multiplying Pastor with Send Network. Richard is married to Payton and has a dog.
Ministry Mix
8 Reminders for Helping a Hurting Person
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Hurting people are not a disruption to ministry. They are the ministry.
In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil Gifford and Richard Pope walk through eight practical and pastoral reminders for caring well for people who are suffering. Whether the hurt comes from grief, sin, trauma, broken relationships, or life in a fallen world, ministry leaders must learn how to offer real care that reflects the heart of Jesus.
This conversation moves beyond clichés and quick fixes and helps leaders slow down, listen well, and shepherd people with wisdom, truth, and compassion.
If you lead people in any capacity, this episode will help you care for hurting people without burning out, enabling sin, or minimizing pain.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why hurting people are unavoidable if you’re doing ministry faithfully
- How to affirm God’s love when people are tempted to doubt it
- Why presence often matters more than perfect words
- How to ask better questions and listen more effectively
- When and how to bring Scripture into moments of pain
- Why careless Bible verses can do more harm than good
- How to speak hard truths with grace and clarity
- Why consistency and community are essential for long-term care
Key Quote:
“Shepherding the flock means more than teaching truth. It means applying truth to tears, doubts, and wounds.”
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