Hi, after reading about Pastor Bob and his burnout expereince you may want to listen to him talk about the ministry personally, if so all you have to do is to dial 1-218-862-1009 when your call is connected dial the access code: 960934# and you will hear Pastor Bob share with you about Trinity Ministries.
Welcome, my name is Bob Mac Donald the founder and director of Trinity Ministries Inc. Thirty-eight years ago Pauline and I started our ministry in the ghetto of Boston, MA. a mission station (church) in Roxbury (part of Boston). Never have you seen a young couple more excited about coming to the heart of Boston to share the love of God with the peoples of the world, (that discribes the population of Boston). We lived in a three room apartment on the fourth floor of two row houses on Massachusetts Ave, My walk with the Lord has brought me to the place where many younger and some older pastors refer to me as their spiritual father, ” that is the highest calling and privilege of my life.”
Let me update some figures, 70 years old as of December 26, 2010; married 48 years as of June 9, 2010; full time ministry dating back to June of 1971. Sitting at my desk tonight I am full of praise to God for His direction in my life and ministry. Being a pastor to pastors is the highlight of my life.
Sixteen years ago Pauline and I stepped out in faith and started Trinity Ministries Inc. At the conception of this ministry (1994) God spoke into my spirit and said, “Pastors need a friend.” That was the inspiration and the direction of my vision as we started to follow God’s direction.
God has opened doors for me to encourage, counsel, mentor and give direction to pastors and their families from all major denominations, community churches and store front churches including missionaries and prison chaplin’s. During the last sixteen years we have had the privilege to minister to pastors and their families throughout New England, across America, and nine countries.
My Eduction:
AA in Bible, BA in Religion, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, and three years of study at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary toward a Doctor of Ministry, enrolled in the track called, “Redemptive Leadership and Organizational Development.” My thesis title is “God’s Biblical System for the Prevention of Clergy Burnout.” My thesis has not been completed, (it is a work in progress) and I am not enrolled at GCTS at this point but the experience of studying with men and women from all over the world and the knowledge that God has provided thorough that Seminary has changed my life and the direction of my ministry.
My covering and accountability is my board of directors, a clergy council, a clinical advisory team and an Executive Council of five men that I am answerable to. These men have complete authority over my calling in this ministry, if I have problems or fall from grace. These men will step in, pray and provide direction and discipline for me and work with the board of directors as to the next step for the ministry. These steps have been put into process for a balanced covering and healthy order of conductiong ministry.
If you have any questions please feel free to call me at my office phone 617-328-6739 or e-mail me at pastorbob5@aol.com (For the topic at the top of the email page, ” type pastor in need”). That way I will be sure to read you email.
My Burnout Experience
If you are reading my story you might be a pastor in need or you might know a pastor in need. You may also be a pastor’s wife or husband. If you are in need of help don’t wait, reach out and let us help you. Send an email to pastorbob5@aol.com or go to the prayer room on this web site and share your need, also you can call my office at 1-617-328-6739.
It was a Sunday afternoon in late September as I sat staring out of the living room window of the parsonage. Pauline was sewing at the other end of the room. My eyes were fixed on the birds feeding beneath the trees. The times of staring out the window had increased in number and longevity. Life had gotten heavy. Smiles turned into frowns and laughter was no longer a part of my daily routine. In my mind many of the church family had become the enemy. The hurts of the past twenty years came flooding back from the corridors of my mind.
Then it happened!
I felt it with every fiber of my being and it paralyzed me. It was as if a giant spring had snapped within my soul. Within the blink of an eye, that which I had feared came upon me.
I was broken and I knew it!
At that moment Pauline looked up from her sewing, “what’s wrong?” Uncontrollable tears flooded from my eyes, I began to shake and I cried out for help. Pauline took me into her arms; I cried like a baby. After what seemed like an eternity she asked me again, “what’s wrong?”
I could not speak. Every ounce of life and hope left me in that moment. We both knew I needed help, but where would it come from? I was hurting and I had to get away. Pauline said, “get a piece of paper and let’s write a letter to the deacons.” When the letter was finished, I was on a four month sabbatical; with or without salary it did not matter. We had no money and no where to go.
With God’s help we found a Christian facility who allowed me to attend and to stay by myself. They were very gracious in making an allowance for my financial situation. As long as I live, I will never forget the hurt and pain, the loneliness, emptiness and the total sense of brokenness. What was my life all about? How could I lose it all in a moment of time?
I arrived at the camp grounds late at night and through a series of events I was led to a house which sat on the side of a hill. My bed room had six bunk beds in it. It seemed cold and empty. What I am about to share with you is not meant to be dramatic; it’s just the painful truth. For three days I slept, ate, threw up and cried for hours. The cycle went on for three days before it ended. Years of unattended pain and sorrow had taken their toll. The pain and sorrow was not limited to my ministry, it reached back into my childhood.
The memories of sitting on that lonely bench in the corner of that field, staring up at the mountains, still fills my memory. I don’t blame anyone but myself. What I needed at that moment was a friend, one who could understand and give me some comfort, hope and direction. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months and my sabbatical was over. What would I do? I made an attempt to reestablish myself at my church, but it was not meant to be. It was clear, before I could pastor again, I had to take a long hard look into my soul and let the healing begin.
God opened a wonderful door of opportunity and I was able to attend college and further my education. I was determined not to be another drop out. Two years had past and I found myself walking across the platform with my diploma in hand. God had restored hope and He placed the vision of Trinity Ministries in my heart. Within three days of graduation I was on the road headed for Maine. God opened all the right doors. I traveled for two years, full time, throughout New England ministering to pastors door to door. My dream became a reality!
This web site is an extension of the original call that God placed on my heart. I’m not a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist but I have gone on to earn another degree, a MS in Marriage and Family Therapy. This has equipped me with a deeper clinical understanding of depression, stress, burnout and problems within the family around such issues as communication. I also completed three years of a doctoral program at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, the track was titled “Redemptive Leadership and Organizational Development.” While writing my thesis, “God’s Biblical System For The Prevention of Pastoral Burnout,” I had to stop. I was writing my thesis, pastoring a church and directing the affairs of Trinity Ministries, something had to go or I would have had another burnout. What I learned in the classroom and on field trips was worth it all. I will finish the thesis some day and turn it into a book. The Lord has an anointing upon me that touches pastors, missionaries, evangelist and their families.
I invite you to take advantage of our sixteen years of experience working fulltime with pastors and their families. We are a loving and caring ministry and at the same time we offer direction and wisdom to you, regardless of your situation. We don’t always say what you want to hear but we minister the truth in love and give you a great hope for the future. Please check the home page for the different ministries (programs) that we offer.
Let me close with a touch of reality. We at Trinity have ministered to pastors and their families with every possible situation the mind can conceive. It has been sixteen years and I am still experientially feeling God’s healing touch. I have met some pastors in need of help and they shared that they had attended a weekend retreat or a few sessions with a psychologist and they are all better.
The hurt of the soul runs deep: often denied, and has developed over a life time. Give God a chance to bring healing in his own way. You are not alone: even if our stories differ we can still be of help to you.
I have ministered to pastors with a variety of problems, including but not limited to: faith crisis, marriage problems, financial problems, alcohol and drug problems, sexual problems (including pornography), depression, burnout and suicide problems.
Thank you for reading my story. I hope you will share our ministry with your friends. We look forward to hearing from you.
Contact Information
pastorbob5@aol.com
1-781-321-0477 (Ministry Office)
Cell: 978-467-5185