pastors & suicide -- how could that happen?

I just got the news that a sharp promising Pastor of a California mega-church committed suicide.  

Now all that seems like an oxymoron unless you're a point leader -- especially if you're the point leader of a church.  

I'll be brief and simply say for now that Pastors and other Point Leaders suffer from a unique set of wounds that only other point leaders can understand.  

Most people play it safe and stay in the pack to cover their back side, but by definition a point leader climbs the hill first and therefore is exposed to the hazards in front of her/him in the heat of battle and also is more exposed to the judgment of those 'behind' her/him.  It is a crucible that magnifies small scrapes and can infect that scrape so that it becomes an oozing mass of pain and pussy nastiness.  

It's tough to fight the enemy you have out in front of you, the 'demons' within, and to take arrows from behind from a culture that 'needs' somebody to blame for their situation and it's usually the point leader nearest them that wears the target.  And, in America, that targeted one is often the lead pastor of a local church.  

So, I'm preparing to launch a new project aimed at helping Point Leaders become stronger from within and to know how to stay on mission despite the challenges that all 'Point Leaders' will face. [ the link won't be active for a while so if you want to be on the wait list please send me a message on FB Messenger at Jeff Fuson Motivation ] 

I'm seeking the advice of Point Leaders who are church planters who are now serving as lead pastors in the church that they've planted.  I'd love to talk with you if you fit that profile.  I've got some great things to give you for those of you who reach out and have a quick text conversation with me. [ and I promise not to sell you anything! ]. Just click here to share your advice please.  

Carey Nieuwhof just posted an excellent article that you may want to check out here.