A long time ago, we decided that we wanted to dedicate the "mature stage" of our ministry life to ministering mending to ministry families. Maybe you've been hurt because of other's sinning against you--Christians shooting their wounded, especially shooting their leaders. Perhaps you're experiencing hurt due to your sin against others (who simply won't forgive you, refuse to help you, or can't figure out how to minister to you).

Rivendell Personal Ministries wants to help. Long before the latest surge in Tolkien/Lord of the Rings interests, the image and meaning of Rivendell captured and captivated us. Ministry families are forever dancing on the edges of "The Wild." Sometimes the wild is an epic adventure of great joy. Other times it's a devastating, dream-dashing disaster of horrible sorrow. In the middle of such messes, we all long for the fair valley of Rivendell, hidden somewhere ahead of us.

Through Rivendell, we want to send a message by our friends so that you are expected. So that in Rivendell you can grow refreshed and strong. So your clothes, bruises, tempers, and hopes can be mended. So your bags can be filled with provisions light to carry but strong to bring you over your future mountain passes. So your plans can be improved with the best advice. We want you to leave Rivendell amid songs of farewell and good speed ("God speed your journey"), with your hearts ready for more epic adventure, and with a knowledge of the road you must follow over the Misty Mountains to the Land Beyond.

What does that look like? What exactly are we offering you? Initially, the "team" is Shirley and Bob. Eventually, the "team" could become a band of brothers and a sorority of sisters--all ministry veterans--around the country and the world, offering a Rivendell experience to one another. Since we are currently only two, our initial offer follows:

• A Referral Network: Please visit our Ministry Links page under: Ministries for Ministry Families.
• Email Correspondence: Confidential, caring, free e-mail counsel as you face ministry heartaches. E-mail Bob and Shirley Kellemen at bob@rpmministries.org. All contact will start through e-mail correspondence. Depending upon our e-chats, the following additional options may occur.
• Phone Counsel and Correspondence: Confidential, caring phone counsel that will sometimes be free, sometimes a small fee (depending on your situation and resources) (call: 219-662-8136).
• E-Chat: Confidential, caring, internet chat counsel that will sometimes be free and sometimes a small fee (depending upon your situation and resources).

• Vision Casting: Guiding your leadership team, and if desired, your entire church family or para-church organization through the biblical and practical steps of co-discovering and co-implementing God's unique vision for your group. His focus is to help you to bring organization to the organism, that is, to integrate relationships and structure.
• Church Health and Para-Church Wholeness through Change Management and Conflict Resolution: The wise leader counts the cost and plans ahead through preventative team building and change management strategizing. However, even the best laid plans may go "south" in a fallen world. Then biblical, relational principles of conflict resolution need to be implemented.