Pastoral self-care is important given the high rates of burnout, depression, and other health issues among clergy. The document discusses biblical examples of Moses, Elijah, David, Jeremiah, Jonah, and Jesus experiencing despair, sorrow, or a desire to die. Statistics show that clergy often experience obesity, depression, stress, and little work-life balance. Without proper self-care, many clergy leave the ministry early or experience affairs or other moral failures. The document provides practical self-care suggestions such as developing hobbies, planning time off, exercising, handling conflict well, and maintaining relationships with other pastors and spiritual advisors. Resources for clergy self-care are also listed.
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Pastoral Self Care
1. Pastoral Self Care
Terrance Woodson, D.Min.
Pastor – Bethel Bible Fellowship
Advisor – Dallas Theological Seminary
2. Numbers 11:15
Moses
15 If
this is how you are going to treat me,
put me to death right now—if I have
found favor in your eyes—and do not let
me face my own ruin.‖
2
3. 1 Kings 19:4
Elijah
4 whilehe himself went a day’s journey
into the desert. He came to a broom tree,
sat down under it and prayed that he
might die. ―I have had enough, LORD,‖
he said. ―Take my life; I am no better than
my ancestors.‖
3
4. Psalm 32:3-4
David
3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer. Selah
4
5. Jeremiah 20:14,15,18
Jeremiah
14 Cursed be the day I was born!
May the day my mother bore me not be
blessed! 15 Cursed be the man who
brought my father the news, who made
him very glad, saying, ―A child is born to
you—a son!‖
18 Why did I ever come out of the womb
to see trouble and sorrow and to end my
days in shame?
5
6. Jonah 4:3
Jonah
3 Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is
better for me to die than to live.‖
9 …―I am angry enough to die.‖
6
7. Mark 14:34
Jesus
34 ―My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow
to the point of death,‖ he said to them.
―Stay here and keep watch.‖
7
8. 2 Corinthians 1:8b
Paul
We were under great pressure, far
beyond our ability to endure, so that we
despaired even of life.
8
10. Typical Profile
A 51-year-old male with symptoms of
depression, the patient has high blood pressure
and is overweight, presenting a heightened risk
of heart disease and other illnesses. He works
60-70 hours a week in a sedentary job, does not
currently engage in any physical exercise, and
reports considerable work-related stress. Patient
is married, with three children, one of whom
expresses interest in following patient's career
path. Patient expresses little enthusiasm for
encouraging child to do so.
http://www.pulpitandpew.duke.edu/clergyhealth.
html
11. Ministerial Life Cycle - Formational Stages
http://faithandleadership.com/reflections/shooting-the-rapids-the-cycles-pastoral-ministry?page=0,2
12. Data
Pulpit and Pew
•76 per cent of clergy were either
overweight or obese
•10 percent being depressed
•40 percent said they were depressed at
times, or worn out quot;some or most of the
time.quot;
http://www.pulpitandpew.duke.edu/clergy
health.html
13. A survey of Lutheran ministers:
•68 percent were overweight or obese,
•16 percent of male pastors and
•24 percent of female pastors complained
of problems with depression.
13
14. Institute of Church Leader
Development
•Over 70% of pastors are so stressed out
and burned out that they regularly
consider leaving the ministry .
•35 – 40% percent of pastors actually do
leave the ministry, most after only five
years.
15. Statistics
•1500 pastors leave the ministry each
month due to moral failure, spiritual
burnout, or contention in their churches.
•50% of pastors' marriages will end in
divorce.
•80% of pastors feel unqualified and
discouraged in their role as pastor.
•50% of pastors are so discouraged that
they would leave the ministry if they
could, but have no other way of making a
15
living.
16. •80% of seminary and Bible school
graduates who enter the ministry will
leave the ministry within the first five
years.
•70% of pastors constantly fight
depression.
•Almost 40% polled said they have had
an extra-marital affair since beginning
their ministry.
•70% said the only time they spend
studying the Word is when they are
preparing their sermons
16
18. What to do…
1. Try not to make your ministry your
identity, get a hobby
2. Develop a realistic plan regarding
exercise, spiritual health, attend
conferences, read more
3. Put Pastoral Care into your church
budget
4. Plan a sabbatical
5. Develop relationships with other
18
Pastors
19. What to do…
6. Learn to handle conflict better
7. Begin the practice of journaling
8. Develop a relationship with a spiritual
director or a counselor
9. Take time for yourself, find your
rhythm of rest
10.Take vacation
11.Plan for a sabbatical
12.Develop an exercise program
13.Watch what you eat 19
28. Notes from CAPS meeting in Dallas
Depression in the Clergy, David Nicholson,
Richardson TX.
28
Hinweis der Redaktion
A national survey of more than 2,500 religious leaders conducted last year by Pulpit and Pew, a research project on pastoral leadership based at Duke Divinity School, found that 76 per cent of clergy were either overweight or obese, compared to 61 per cent of the general population. The same study also found that 10 percent of those surveyed reported being depressed - about the same as the general population - while 40 percent said they were depressed at times, or worn out \"some or most of the time.\" A survey of Lutheran ministers found that 68 percent were overweight or obese, while 16 percent of male pastors and 24 percent of female pastors complained of problems with depression.
