Journey to health

Clergy embrace exercise, nutrition on path to wellness

by Deborah White

Over the past 30 years, the health of United Methodist clergy has deteriorated to the point that it is attracting the attention of leaders throughout the denomination.

They are concerned because the majority of United Methodist clergy:

- work more than 60 hours a week,

- exercise less than 30 minutes a week,

- rank in the high-risk category for heart problems,

- experience regular gastro-intestinal problems,

- cope with depression, and

- report low morale or exhaustion.

The impact is significant, both in terms of high medical costs and in the effect on health of congregations. "Stress-related diseases, depression and diabetes are huge cost items ... There is an impact on all the people's lives that they touch," said Barbara Boigegrain, general secretary of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits.

"We can't have healthy congregations if we don&t have healthy clergy," said Dr. Scott Morris, a United Methodist pastor and physician who led the fourth annual clergy health conference last fall at the Church Health Center  in Memphis, Tenn.

From local churches to annual conferences and general agencies, church leaders are working to improve clergy health.

"People are starting to take notice. ... There is a tremendous amount of energy," said Noreen Orbach, managing director of health plans for the pension board.

Although solutions to the problem are complex, more clergy are joining the path to health and wholeness.

Cooking, rather than eating out, has helped the Rev. Leigh Ann Raynor lose 25 pounds. Photo by Janet Liles.

Leigh Ann Raynor loses
weight while world watches

"I can fix fish and vegetables quicker than I can get in the car and go to the drive-through," said Raynor, 50, senior pastor of Thomasville (Ga.) First United Methodist Church.

For eight weeks, CNN followed her and four other people as they started getting fit with help from professionals. They continued on their own until the fall, when CNN aired a follow-up show.

Now Raynor is 25 pounds lighter, an early morning regular at the YMCA and 2 for the first time in her life 9 a cook. She plans to lose 25 more pounds and then stop smoking.

"I would rather cook for myself than get a cheeseburger, because I feel so much better," said Raynor, who learned culinary skills from a woman from Cooking Light magazine.

Raynor hits the gym five to six times a week, but because of a heart problem she can2t walk faster than 3 miles an hour or lift more than 10 pounds.

"These changes have not been difficult. When you're motivated, you want to make the changes," she said.

About 30 church members joined their pastor in adopting healthier lifestyles. The church now has an aerobics class, a weight loss support group and a new choice of salad at Wednesday suppers. "It's become a health-conscious church," said Sharon Lewis, a member who lost 55 pounds.

"I thought if this lady is going to get on national TV and bare her soul, I2m going to try to do this, too," Lewis said. Her friend, Marilyn Brown, lost 30 pounds.

"It really is a blessing," Lewis said. "(God) gave us the strength. She gave us the motivation."

The Rev. Gary Brooks (left) rides with Jeff Spaetzel for 80 miles of the nine-state 2Pedal for a Cure& event benefiting Cure Autism Now in April 2005. Photo courtesy of WWW.RYANCOLLIER.COM

Gary Brooks tames blood pressure, asthma with regular cycling

Brooks, 48, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Great Bend, Kan., recalled, "The ol' doc slapped me on medicine to get my blood pressure down and nicely shook his finger at me and said, 'Preacher boy, you've got to lose some weight and start exercising again -- it'll help your blood pressure and your asthma.'"

In June 2004, Brooks vowed within a year to lose 40 pounds and to ride 500 miles across Kansas -- a feat he accomplished in his 30s. He told the congregation his goal and asked members to hold him accountable.

At a funeral meal later that week, Brooks said, "Four women barricaded the cake table."

Brooks, who describes himself as a "recovering workaholic," also made it clear that he would ride his bike 20 to 25 miles before arriving at church each day. "Remember your goal, maintain your focus, keep your resolve" became his mantra.

"By the end of the first year, I'd dropped 35 pounds, two pant sizes and had a blast going on the June 2005 'Bicycle Across Kansas'," Brooks said. He also stopped taking blood pressure medicine and reduced his asthma medication.

"I found that being transparent to the congregation about my own journey birthed some changes in other people's lives," Brooks said.

One of these was Hugh Steadman, 80. He lost 30 pounds and got his diabetes under control by eating smaller portions and taking water exercise classes three times a week with his wife, Delores. "With the influence of Pastor Gary, it was relatively easy to do," Steadman said.

Brooks is still 5 pounds shy of his goal, but he isn't worried. "The doctor said, 'You're riding. You're much healthier. It will come off.'"

Exercise and Weight Watchers meetings are top priorities for the Rev. Max Richter. UMNS Photo / VICTORIA REBECK

Max Richter adopts healthy
lifestyle to lose 50 pounds

Since Lent of 2004, his week has included three to four sessions on an elliptical trainer at the YWCA and a Weight Watchers meeting. Now he is 50 pounds lighter.

A doctor provided strong motivation. "I didn't realize how heavy I had gotten," said Richter, 37, pastor of Edgewater Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Minneapolis.

Richter has enjoyed support from many people, including Bishop Sally Dyck of Minnesota, colleagues in the Metro West District, his congregation and his Weight Watchers group.

The bishop, a runner, pledged to donate $2 per pound lost by clergy in the conference during Lent 2005. She presented a check for $1,000 during the annual conference session.

"It does matter how the leader role models for the community. The fact that we've got that kind of support to take care of ourselves from our bishop does mean a lot," Richter said.

Richter's congregation encourages him to take time off and they incorporate healthy options into church meals.

Weight Watchers has been important, too. To him it's a new balanced lifestyle rather than a diet. "I love it," he said, praising the leadership, sense of community and philosophy.

"Food is a gift from God," he said. "It's meant to be enjoyed. We have to be strategic about what and how we're eating."

--Deborah White, associate editor of Interpreter and Interpreter OnLine.