“Sabbath is the day that I cease to see myself as a tool of production. And blissfully, I recover the scale and proportion of my life, even my own self,” writes Jen Pollock Mechel, in a guest blog on Christianitytoday.org. It’s a good read for all of us who think we’re too busy. (Photo by […]
Even with the best intentions and all the knowledge and advice in the world, clergy of all ages often find it difficult to take care of themselves. On the long list of items that must be done every day, they often put self-care last, with unhealthy results for ministry. But churches are increasingly working to encourage and equip their leaders to take better care of themselves.(Photo © Warren Goldswain, Fotolia.)
Have you seen the new documentary film Fed Up? Check out the trailer here. You can also join the “Fed Up” Sugar Free for 10 Days Challenge and access plenty of facts and useful information.
Despite prayerful and devoted service in the name of Christ, long hours, unrelenting pressures and constant exposure to the unrelenting problems of humanity takes a heavy toll on ministers. Burnout and fatigue can sap the energies of the best pastor. This excellent article explores the causes, symptoms — and help! — for burnout. (Photo © Alphaspirit – Fotolia.com)
The body of evidence is growing that as a group pastors are growing more unhealthy due to the stress, time constraints, eating habits and other on-the-job realities. But churches are responding by offering their pastors education, assistance and incentives to be healthier, says this report from LancasterOnline. (Photo © Sebastian Duda – Fotolia.com)
Leading a church is hard, hard work! Check out this list of great inexpensive or free places for pastors to go to relax. Compiled by Christianitytoday.com blogger Ed Stetzer. Thanks, Ed! (Photo by Mike Prosser, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks! )
Stress comes with the job for most clergy. . Pastors need to be aware of factors that ratchet up the stress — and things they can do to maintain equilibrium, says this report from the Presbyterian Church (USA). (Photo © styf – Fotolia.com)
Health is a process, not a thing or state. It is ongoing, dynamic, and ever changing. Health is a direction, not a destination, a once-and-for-all property. Congregational leaders are the key stewards of the congregation as a unit in itself. (Photo by Antti Nissinen, used by Creative Commons license)
Because of the demanding nature of their jobs, clergy are at greater risk for stress-related mental health issues, such as burnout, depression and “compassion fatigue,” according to health surveys. The United Methodist Church report talks about the risks and how some congregations and pastors are coping. (Photo by Bottled Void, used by Creative Commons license.)
Read this compelling New York Times op-ed by Sam Polk about how he learned that loving money isn’t the answer. Polk left Wall Street and founded a non-profit organization called Groceryships that helps hungry families buy healthy food and learn how to change their eating habits in the process. (Photo: Andrew Magill, Creative Commons)
