Comments on: Pastors and Stress: Clergy self-care http://www.jrbriggs.com/pastors-and-stress-clergy-self-care/01/ Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:43:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: DRB http://www.jrbriggs.com/pastors-and-stress-clergy-self-care/01/comment-page-1/#comment-3629 DRB Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:03:22 +0000 http://www.jrbriggs.com/?p=2129#comment-3629 Andy Stanley's book "Choosing To Cheat" is in line with what you are talking about. He challenges us all to decide proactively who is going to be "cheated" of our time so we are not spread too thin trying not to say "no" to anyone. Andy Stanley’s book “Choosing To Cheat” is in line with what you are talking about. He challenges us all to decide proactively who is going to be “cheated” of our time so we are not spread too thin trying not to say “no” to anyone.

]]> By: Wendy http://www.jrbriggs.com/pastors-and-stress-clergy-self-care/01/comment-page-1/#comment-3623 Wendy Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:58:14 +0000 http://www.jrbriggs.com/?p=2129#comment-3623 The 2 books you mentioned are excellent. And I agree with the Sabbath concept - not a day off, but rest and nourishment for your soul - incredibly important for pastors and all of us who are care givers/ministers. Lay people have the "luxury" of being able to do that without being censored but sadly, I've seen pastors strive for that and incorporate it into their work week only to have it be one reason for their "dismissal". This is something all senior pastors should encourage/practically require their younger pastors to make a habit of - but they can't if they aren't in the habit too or don't see it as valuable and "productive". Spiritual soul care is so vital. We can only serve from a well that is deep and spring-fed. I think Jesus talking to the woman at the well has so much to teach us - first and foremost is the location. A well....... The 2 books you mentioned are excellent. And I agree with the Sabbath concept – not a day off, but rest and nourishment for your soul – incredibly important for pastors and all of us who are care givers/ministers.

Lay people have the “luxury” of being able to do that without being censored but sadly, I’ve seen pastors strive for that and incorporate it into their work week only to have it be one reason for their “dismissal”.

This is something all senior pastors should encourage/practically require their younger pastors to make a habit of – but they can’t if they aren’t in the habit too or don’t see it as valuable and “productive”. Spiritual soul care is so vital.

We can only serve from a well that is deep and spring-fed. I think Jesus talking to the woman at the well has so much to teach us – first and foremost is the location. A well…….

]]> By: Wendi Gordon http://www.jrbriggs.com/pastors-and-stress-clergy-self-care/01/comment-page-1/#comment-3622 Wendi Gordon Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:05:23 +0000 http://www.jrbriggs.com/?p=2129#comment-3622 Thank you for this post. I am glad that your ministerium meeting focused on clergy self-care, and even happier that participants felt free to share their own experiences of stress, depression, and other health issues. Too often those symptoms are seen as signs of weakness or inadequate faith and pastors feel ashamed to discuss them openly. As a pastor (though no longer serving a parish) and spouse of a pastor, I have experienced the unique stresses pastors face and the lack of an adequate support system. Because of that, I now offer life coaching and workshops to help other pastors set healthier boundaries and rediscover the person behind the collar. I also publish a free monthly e-zine for clergy and have a blog. If you would like to find out more, please visit my website at http://www.betruetoyourself.com. Thanks again for writing about this issue - acknowledging it is the first step in the process of changing a system that currently rewards and reinforces some very unhealthy attitudes and behaviors. Thank you for this post. I am glad that your ministerium meeting focused on clergy self-care, and even happier that participants felt free to share their own experiences of stress, depression, and other health issues. Too often those symptoms are seen as signs of weakness or inadequate faith and pastors feel ashamed to discuss them openly.

As a pastor (though no longer serving a parish) and spouse of a pastor, I have experienced the unique stresses pastors face and the lack of an adequate support system. Because of that, I now offer life coaching and workshops to help other pastors set healthier boundaries and rediscover the person behind the collar. I also publish a free monthly e-zine for clergy and have a blog. If you would like to find out more, please visit my website at http://www.betruetoyourself.com.

Thanks again for writing about this issue – acknowledging it is the first step in the process of changing a system that currently rewards and reinforces some very unhealthy attitudes and behaviors.

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