There is certainly no shortage of articles these days clergy citing burnout, accelerated no doubt by the ongoing pandemic. With the oldest Baby Boomers now over 75 years old, the massive shift over the past 20+ years to a multi-vocational model, and an ongoing pandemic that demands learning a whole new set of skills, it should hardly come as a surprise to see pastors participating in ‘The Great Resignation.’
The burning question now is, what about the clergy still serving?
To borrow a phrase from the Offspring, “the kids aren’t alright.” While I’ve seen honest answers come from pastors with one or both feet out the door, I have not read a lot about how current clergy are being supported. And is anybody asking the question: what can we do to help? Sure, I’ve read rants in private clergy Facebook groups and listened to colleagues describe behaviors that would not be tolerated in other workplaces. And reviews of denominational support throughout the pandemic could be best summed up as “meh.”
To be fair, this is our first pandemic, though likely not our last. So how can we harness perhaps the last ounce of energy left to learn what we can do right now and in the future to improve the mental, physical, and spiritual health of those serving in ministry?
If you could share or ask, with no negative repercussions…
What would you ask of/share with your church leaders?
What do you need your regional or conference leaders to hear?
What would you say to your denominational/national leaders about what you need from them?
Chaplains, what say you? What do you need from your supervisor, superior, and denominational/ecclesiastical endorser? What do you need them to understand?
Regional and denominational leaders, what do you wish to share? What do you need at this moment?
We’ve created a space to share some of those answers anonymously, with the opportunity to provide your e-mail if you would be willing to talk about your stories with us.
CLICK HERE TO SHARE
Over the years, friends who’ve worked for some great companies or organizations have shared with me how their best bosses, supervisors, or leaders had something in common. They would often check in to ask: what do you need from me to help you be successful? Often we are the last person to advocate for ourselves and our needs.
The environment we operate in today is rapidly changing and challenging. There are no programs to fix all the problems. No one-size-fits-all solution is out there waiting to be discovered. Last time I checked, we might wear a robe, stole, or collar, but none came with a magic wand. We cannot afford to be silent as we watch our colleagues and friends endure verbal, mental, even physical abuse by congregations or leaders within our various religious institutional structures. Apathy is useless. Empathy, listening, and beginning a conversation is a great start. So, let’s start with this one question I’ll ask you in case no one else will: what do you need from the universal us to be a mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy ministry leader? Let’s keep talking and listening to one another.
Rev. Erica Van Brakle serves as the Director of MinistrElife and the American Baptist Personnel Services at the American Baptist Home Missions Societies.
There is certainly no shortage of articles these days clergy citing burnout, accelerated no doubt by the ongoing pandemic. With the oldest Baby Boomers now over 75 years old, the massive shift over the past 20+ years to a multi-vocational model, and an ongoing pandemic that demands learning a whole new set of skills, it should hardly come as a surprise to see pastors participating in ‘The Great Resignation.’
The burning question now is, what about the clergy still serving?
To borrow a phrase from the Offspring, “the kids aren’t alright.” While I’ve seen honest answers come from pastors with one or both feet out the door, I have not read a lot about how current clergy are being supported. And is anybody asking the question: what can we do to help? Sure, I’ve read rants in private clergy Facebook groups and listened to colleagues describe behaviors that would not be tolerated in other workplaces. And reviews of denominational support throughout the pandemic could be best summed up as “meh.”
To be fair, this is our first pandemic, though likely not our last. So how can we harness perhaps the last ounce of energy left to learn what we can do right now and in the future to improve the mental, physical, and spiritual health of those serving in ministry?
If you could share or ask, with no negative repercussions…
What would you ask of/share with your church leaders?
What do you need your regional or conference leaders to hear?
What would you say to your denominational/national leaders about what you need from them?
Chaplains, what say you? What do you need from your supervisor, superior, and denominational/ecclesiastical endorser? What do you need them to understand?
Regional and denominational leaders, what do you wish to share? What do you need at this moment?
We’ve created a space to share some of those answers anonymously, with the opportunity to provide your e-mail if you would be willing to talk about your stories with us.
CLICK HERE TO SHARE
Over the years, friends who’ve worked for some great companies or organizations have shared with me how their best bosses, supervisors, or leaders had something in common. They would often check in to ask: what do you need from me to help you be successful? Often we are the last person to advocate for ourselves and our needs.
The environment we operate in today is rapidly changing and challenging. There are no programs to fix all the problems. No one-size-fits-all solution is out there waiting to be discovered. Last time I checked, we might wear a robe, stole, or collar, but none came with a magic wand. We cannot afford to be silent as we watch our colleagues and friends endure verbal, mental, even physical abuse by congregations or leaders within our various religious institutional structures. Apathy is useless. Empathy, listening, and beginning a conversation is a great start. So, let’s start with this one question I’ll ask you in case no one else will: what do you need from the universal us to be a mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy ministry leader? Let’s keep talking and listening to one another.
Rev. Erica Van Brakle serves as the Director of MinistrElife and the American Baptist Personnel Services at the American Baptist Home Missions Societies.