In my last post, I asked,\u00a0 \u201cWho pastors the pastors?\u201d<\/p>\n
For the past decade, Pastor Daron Lindemann has coached my husband and the other missionaries on our Asia One Team.\u00a0 Daron\u2019s energy and enthusiasm for the Gospel is contagious.\u00a0 He adores his wife, Cara, and shepherds both his biological family and his spiritual family (CrossLife in Pflugerville,Texas<\/a>) with wisdom and compassion.\u00a0 He models a mature walk with Jesus.\u00a0 More than once he has intervened when our family was at a turning point or in crisis.\u00a0 He asks the deep questions of a coach, focusing on spiritual, emotional, and physical resilience<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/a>Photo by Dylan Ferreira<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/div>\n Spiritual:<\/strong> Full-time pastors have the amazing privilege of getting paid to study, pray, and proclaim God\u2019s Word every day.\u00a0 Passion for the things of God is what led them to their vocation.\u00a0 But spiritual fervor can wax and wane for anyone, pastors included.\u00a0 By taking a spiritual inventory, Daron helps them identify areas where their spiritual fervor has cooled, and\u00a0 applies Law and Gospel.\u00a0 He holds them accountable to implement daily spiritual practices, and encourages them to hold fast until the Spirit once again puts wind in their sails.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Emotional: <\/strong>Stress and anxiety are parts of any profession, but the Enemy of our souls has his sights laser-focused on those who lead.\u00a0 What better way to ensnare those who follow than to trip up the leader into unmanaged emotions? \u00a0 One particularly useful technique Daron applies is the IVA method to detox from \u201cstinking thinking.\u201d\u00a0 First you Identify where you are struggling, then you Validate your emotions, and then you Align them to the Truth of God\u2019s Word. \u00a0 A clear mind and sound heart will weather storms and have the capacity to process, create, and articulate the gospel effectively.<\/p>\n Physical:<\/strong> Woe to the spouse who tries to be their spouse\u2019s accountability partner in anything, but particularly in caring for their physical health.\u00a0 \u201cHey honey, why don\u2019t you hit the gym?\u201d said no wise spouse ever.\u00a0 Daron holds Matt accountable for his diet, sleep, and exercise routine.\u00a0 Daron gets to be his coach, so I can be his wife. It\u2019s a beautiful arrangement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Does this mean I\u2019ve abdicated all of my spousal responsibilities to Daron?\u00a0 Not at all.\u00a0 I am Matt\u2019s helpmate in all things–now more than ever in this season of Empty Nesting. \u00a0 But I am not Matt\u2019s only person.\u00a0 We are interdependent: first on God, then on one another, and then on an entire army of friends and family.\u00a0 Our network of godly men and women who speak into our lives is one of God\u2019s greatest blessings.\u00a0 You\u2019ll meet some of our mentors in forthcoming podcasts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Two final notes on Daron.\u00a0 Not only does he coach, but he HAS a coach. (Remember Rick<\/a>?) In Gospel-Centered Mentoring, every Paul has a Timothy and every Timothy a Paul<\/a>.\u00a0 And finally,\u00a0 Daron and his wife Cara suffer well.\u00a0 Currently Cara is fighting cancer.\u00a0 We\u2019ve been following her health journey and continue to be encouraged by the Lindemann\u2019s faith and their testimony to the goodness of God in heart-wrenching circumstances.\u00a0<\/p>\n Would you please join us in praying for these dear friends?<\/p>\n Dear Heavenly Father,<\/em><\/p>\n Thank You for godly mentors!\u00a0 In Hebrews chapter 11, You have applauded those who model the Christian life.\u00a0 We know we can\u2019t be perfect, but we want to be faithful.\u00a0 Thanks for those who speak the truth in love over us, like Daron.\u00a0 We pray that you would please bring healing to our sister Cara, according to Your gracious will, and assure the Lindemanns and all of us of Your power, presence, and providence.\u00a0 May Your Name be glorified in this and every hardship!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n In Jesus\u2019 Name.\u00a0 Amen.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n