Glenn C. Daman

WHEN SHEPHERDS WEEP

Finding Tears of Joy for Wounded Pastors

When Shepherds Weep: Finding Tears of Joy for Wounded Pastors

© 2015 by Glenn C. Daman

Lexham Press, 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225

LexhamPress.com

First edition by Weaver Book Company.

All rights reserved. You may use brief quotations from this resource in presentations, articles, and books. For all other uses, please write Lexham Press for permission. Email us at permissions@lexhampress.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Italics in Scripture quotations indicate emphasis added by the author.

Poem titled “The Likes of Me” on page 31 by Edward W. Goodrick, © 1995. Used by permission of Lynda D. Bock.

Print ISBN 9781683592204

Digital ISBN 9781683592211

Cover: Frank Gutbrod

Editing: Paul J. Brinkerhoff

To Emily and Paige.

They are a wonderful addition to our family

and a true blessing and joy.

To the people of River Christian Church, Wibaux Bible Church,

and Cascade Locks Community Church. Throughout all the ups and

downs and struggles of ministry they have been supportive of my ministry,

gracious with my failures, and patient with my shortcomings.

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

1. The Weeping Shepherd

From Passion to Pain

2. Pain and Ministry

Understanding the Cost

3. Regaining a Perspective of Suffering

Understanding Its Redemptive Purpose

4. Regaining a Perspective of God

Letting God Be God in All Aspects of Ministry

5. Regaining a Perspective of Ourselves

Recognizing Our Position and Purpose

6. Regaining a Perspective of Others

The Centrality of Love

7. Regaining a Perspective of Ministry

The Joy of Serving God and Others

Conclusion

Foreword

My friendship with Glenn began when we met in Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Glenn hailed me as he descended the escalator and we went to claim our baggage. Over the next week we visited schools, individuals, and churches in rural areas of Alaska. While we had made acquaintance previously through Village Missions, on this trip I came to appreciate Glenn as a servant of Christ committed to the small church.

Over the intervening years we’ve each stayed in the other’s homes. I came to know his wife, Becky, and their sons, and he made acquaintance with my family. Each of us contributed to the other’s writing. My ministry opened the door of friendship ...