A friend loves at all times,
    And a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

Iron sharpens iron,
    So one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

    Usually Hal* looked forward to the “how is it with your soul” part of our mentoring group meetings. But that day, he was unusually quiet and answered the question last. Before he answered, he stared at the table awhile. Hal’s words stuck in his throat. He covered his face and tears came. Little by little, he unpacked the way he had been blind-sided at an elder’s meeting the night before. Not only had Hal been harshly attacked, but he feared they were heading in a direction that could undo years of progress. They had a history of heavy-handedness, and he felt they were seriously out of touch with the heart of the church.

    Hal had his critics, of course, but everyone knew this growing church overwhelmingly supported his ministry. Yet now, in spite of his track record of effective ministry, Hal was overwhelmed with self-doubt: Had he misread everything? Was he losing his competency?

    “My wife feels so angry and frightened,” he continued, “and we’re both fighting bitterness.” And Hal — one of ministry’s finest — was seriously questioning whether he should stay in the ministry.

“What should I do from here?”

    Once Hal finished his story, one by one his colleagues affirmed Hal — his significant skills and his shepherd’s heart. Then an elder in our circle walked over to Hal, laid his hands on him, and gathered all of us around to pray.

    When Hal asked, “What should I do from here?” the circle gently coached him to reconsider some of his instinctive reactions — which likely prevented him from burning more bridges or doing something rash while he was so wounded. And they helped him reframe the scenario: “Getting hurt in ministry is not merely a potential ‘hazard of the trade.’ Rather, it is often the central process by which the best ministry gets done.”

    Hal left the mentoring circle that evening with confidence restored and hope renewed. He no longer feelt alone. He credits his mentoring circle with actually saving his ministry!