Providing a place of rest where God’s people can experience God’s renewal

The Challenge

Pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders face spiritual fatigue along with the typical effects of high-stress vocations. In caring for the souls of others, they often neglect their own. There is a great need for ministry leaders to experience Jesus’ invitation to rest for their souls.

But how and where can they find that?

Jesus often went away to secluded places to spend time alone with our Heavenly Father. Shepherding Well will offer a beautiful place of rest where guests can experience God’s renewal through a guided experience of silence, solitude, reflection, and prayerfulness.

The Reality

53%

of religious leaders have considered leaving pastoral ministry at least once since 2020.
-The Hartford Institute

2 In 5

pastors say they’ve considered quitting ministry in the last 12 months.
-Barna Research 2022

The Invitation

Before Jesus gave us the “Great Commandment” and the “Great Commission,” He gave His disciples the “Great Invitation”. Come to Me. We meet this need in a retreat environment away from the daily demands and distractions, where the soul can be tended to, healed, and restored.

Silence

This happens through four key practices:

“In silence we not only withdraw from the demands of life in the company of others but also allow the noise of our own thoughts, strivings and compulsions to settle down so we can hear truer and more reliable Voice…”

Solitude

“The space where we find rest and healing for our souls is solitude. In solitude we withdraw not so much from creation, but from the pressures of the world. We withdraw so our souls can rest in God…”

Reflection

“All of us carry memories within our hearts, and when they are recalled we enter into a mysterious journey. The past breaths again, in such a way that the present is injected with new life…”

Prayerfulness

“Prayer should make us prayerful. In other words, whatever we do during our time of prayer should have an effect on the way we live and act once it is over…”

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”
Matthew 11:28-29 (MSG)

The Need for Soul Care

Rob Kelly

Founder & CEO, For Charlotte Network
“As the old adage says, ‘so goes the leader, so goes the organization.’ Unfortunately, this is not good news for most churches, as pastors today are suffering from an epidemic of burnout, which is taking a terrible toll on their lives, families, and the congregations they serve. This is a trend that must change for the future of the church. For that reason, I am so grateful for ministries like Shepherding Well that prioritize the holistic health of leaders within Christ’s church, ensuring they are in the game for the long haul.”
Barbara L. Peacock

Spiritual Director, Author, Founder of Peacock Soul Care
“Too many of us have never learned the gift of incorporating times of silence into our hectic lives. I encourage you to pull away from life’s activities, find a quiet space, and listen with expectation of hearing from Yahweh. It is evident that God’s hand is on Shepherding Well. Many will be blessed. Shepherding Well will provide a place for those needing to retreat and be renewed while drawing from God’s well of rest.”
Stephen W. Smith

Author and Spiritual Director
“People in every time and age and in many different circumstances have all sought the same thing: space to be alone with God, to be still and know. If we truly want to know Jesus, if we truly want to be sustained by His love, if we truly want to live the abundant life that God is offering us, retreat is required. It is a must. I am pleased to see that Shepherding Well is inviting people back to our deep spiritual roots of soul care.”