Barnabas File

Wespath, the benefits and investment entity of United Methodists, recently published a report titled, “Clergy Health Factors--What Matters Most.”    The report states, “Healthy churches and congregations foster healthy clergy and church leaders--and vice-versa.” The report identified 13 factors that influence clergy health.  Some are specific to the Methodist system--“stressors of the appointment process” and “appointment changes and relocation” --but might be translated into similar challenges in other denominational contexts.  Some deal with issues that might be addressed through formal counseling--“personal centeredness” and “marital and family satisfaction.” The rest of the list reflects the concerns that I often see articulated by pastors in coaching conversations. For example, “relationship with congregation,” “work/life balance,” “existential burdens of ministry,” and “outside interests and social life.”   The study stresses ...