I worked as the Data Analyst for the three year, multi-million dollar, multi-national research study (it was a real study!) dealing with healthcare benefits for Episcopal clergy and lay employees. In our research, it became blatantly apparent that clergy are an unhealthy bunch. The nature of the work and difficulty we have setting boundaries contribute to our lives being less than healthy. We are undisciplined in this area, too.
I have found that I actually have to physically leave home and neighborhood (get out of town) so that I will take a true day off!
This article appeared recently on AOL's blog, "Politics Daily." It is entitled, "No Rest For the Holy: Clergy Burnout a Growing Concern," by David Gibson, Religion Reporter. Here are a couple paragraphs:
I have found that I actually have to physically leave home and neighborhood (get out of town) so that I will take a true day off!
This article appeared recently on AOL's blog, "Politics Daily." It is entitled, "No Rest For the Holy: Clergy Burnout a Growing Concern," by David Gibson, Religion Reporter. Here are a couple paragraphs:
"The untenable nature of the experience for me [being a pastor/priest] was being designated the holiest member of the congregation, who could be in all places at all times and require no time for sermon preparation," Barbara Brown Taylor, an Episcopal priest, said in describing her memoir, "Leaving Church," about her decision to abandon the pulpit. "Those aren't symptomatic of a mean congregation; those are normal expectations of 24/7 availability."Further on:
Indeed, unlike doctors or police, for example, pastors are supposed to be people who have dedicated their lives to a spiritual goal and are not expected to focus on themselves and their own welfare in the here and now.
"I really don't think people think about their pastors," said Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell, research director of the Duke Clergy Health Initiative. "They admire their pastor, and their pastor is very visible. But they want their pastor to be the broker between them and God, and they don't want them to be as human as they themselves are."
A program called the National Clergy Renewal Program, funded by the Lilly Endowment, has been underwriting sabbaticals for pastors for several years; the program will provide up to $50,000 to 150 congregations in the coming year. And places like The Alban Institute in Herndon, Va., are studying the topic and offering expertise and resources to denominations trying to make their clergy healthier...
But experts also say the solutions have to start at the congregational level.
Congregants can encourage pastors to take time off, and not view everything in the church as the pastor's responsibility. They can also be sure to provide healthy food at church events. But clergy must also learn find time to exercise or relax, even if it means saying no to some requests. Otherwise, they won't be healthy enough to serve their flock later on.
