“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (“One out of three pastors experiences personal discouragement or depression on a regular basis” (Souleader.org). Dr. Michael Bischof understands that statistic. In his first pastoral role, 30 years ago, he experienced depression. Out of that experience, he developed a passion for helping leaders, and 30 years of pastoral ministry has shaped the organization that he founded, SOULeader Resources. Through SOULeader, Dr. Bischof and his team provide support for ministry leaders and help them to develop transformational wholeness in their private lives and public ministries. He will address ministry leaders at the virtual FEC conference on Thursday, July 23.
Dr. Bischof’s passion for helping ministry leaders develop wholeness grew out of his own ministry experiences. Early on, he realized that he lacked the personal resources to deal with crisis and conflict. Then, discouragement and depression set in, and he began a transformational journey toward wholeness. Years later, he discovered that his story resonated with other ministry leaders. Through his personal journey, he developed six areas that, if neglected, can affect pastors, their families, and their churches. Those six areas of our lives relate to our emotional, relational, spiritual, mental, physical, and missional formation.
Dr. Michael Bischof advises ministry leaders to live and lean into God’s grace. He also encourages them to slow down and create the kinds of rhythms that Jesus demonstrated. He says, “Slowing is a practice that is needed in our lives. Create some space for the same kinds of rhythms that were in Jesus’s life – solitude, fellowship, and ministry. The same kinds of rhythms can be lived out today in powerful ways.”
His three keynotes will focus on personal transformation through wholeness. His messages will be streamed on Thursday, July 23, starting at 10:00 AM Eastern. The sessions may be accessed through the FEC website, at fecministries.org/deeper.
