In addition to the monthly Thrive in 5, Clergy Care webinars, and additional Thriving Together initiatives, each district is being empowered and equipped with a team to support pastors in their ministry journeys.
Rev. Carla Working, the Director of Clergy Care and Development, is passionate about equipping pastors to thrive in ministry. “We are giving pastors a safe place to process,” she said, “Pastors are people with real needs – financial, medical, relational, and other needs.”
Working noted some sobering statistics: “Thirty percent of new pastors won’t be in ministry in 5 years, approximately 30% of pastors are seriously considering quitting ministry, and around 50% of pastors are feeling or have felt burned out in ministry.” Working continued, “Sometimes we idolize and promote a pastor that doesn’t stop [to rest]. There is always more work. Being sold out for ministry can have a danger of being burned out for ministry.”
Thriving Clergy is working to combat these statistics of burn out through preventive care: assessing, intervening, equipping, and empowering clergy to thrive in ministry before a crisis occurs. “A pastor who is struggling is much more likely to make poor decisions that lead her or him away from ministry, from integrity, or from family,” said Working. She also noted, “It’s cheaper to do preventive care than reactive care. We all need preventive care.”
One of the avenues of care is through the Clergy Care Coordinators, which may be contacted through each District Office, as each district’s specific clergy care initiatives differ to cater to the needs within each district. A full list of District Office contact information can be accessed here.
Clergy Care Coordinators are trained to be safe places for processing the trials and difficulties that come with ministry and to have local referral contacts for additional care or professional needs. District Superintendent Dr. Mark Gorveatte noted for the Crossroads District, Clergy Care includes assistance for professional counseling sessions, emergency financial relief for crisis situations, and sabbatical and generous vacation policies. Though each district’s specific resources will vary, the Wesleyan Church is in partnership with recommended organizations for clergy care. You can find such partnerships here.
Additionally, Clergy Care Coordinators have lists of retreats and retreat centers for rest and renewal for the individual pastor and family. Clergy Care extends beyond the pastor to the pastoral family, too; the pastor’s family can feel like they are living “in a fishbowl” with little autonomy, rest, or privacy; care needs to address that, and allow them to care for their own needs.
Working also emphasized the important role of laity in clergy care: “Building in support systems into [your] church is really helpful for all pastors.” Working noted the number one barrier to care can be financial access to professional care and development, and she suggested churches build monthly funding into the budget for coaching or spiritual direction. Other barriers to care might include a stigma from admitting that things are not going so well or not knowing who to talk to about issues or tensions in life and ministry.
Laity also have a powerful role in keeping their church’s pastor(s) accountable to taking time off for their weekly sabbath, seasonal retreats, annual vacations, and sabbaticals as scheduled. Working encouraged laity to pray for each pastor, and to ask, “How can I pray for you?”
