Every pastor encounters challenges—gaps between God’s design and ministry realities. In this article, Robert Cheong explores how faith gaps in Story, Heart, Care, and Love impact ministry and personal discipleship. Using Brendon’s story, he highlights how Jesus restores brokenness and brings lasting transformation. Discover practical wisdom and hope for closing the gaps in your life and ministry.

Simply saying “Jesus is the answer” doesn’t address the challenges this present evil age presents to growing as a disciple. Saying these words doesn’t adequately show how Christ makes a difference when we’re overwhelmed by life’s struggles. Knowing Christ is the answer doesn’t automatically explain how we should care for one another. It doesn’t offer ways to get a larger percentage of the church into the small group ministry.

When we declare that Jesus is the answer in a simplistic way, his gospel will not be concrete or relevant enough to answer our questions about life and ministry.

I made a strategic decision a few years back to replace the word counsel with the word care.

I didn’t send out a memo or make campaign signs. I simply began to intentionally use the terms “care” and “caring” everywhere I would have used the words “counsel” and “counseling.”

Church leaders often grow weary dealing with constant waves of suffering and sin. The challenges of ministry are overwhelming, demanding, and relentless.

How do you approach caring for others? In this article, Robert Cheong dives into four essential elements to help balance the ways we approach relationships with others.

It can be difficult to wrap our minds around life, let alone ourselves. When he reflected on how intimately God knew him, David declared that such profound awareness was too wonderful for him; it seemed unattainable (Ps. 139:6).