Nurture & Congregational Care

Physician, Heal Thyself?

The current state of clergy wellness

The Rev. Max Richter, Edgewater-Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, exercises four to five times a week.

Beyond burgeoning health care costs and skyrocketing insurance premiums, the physical deterioration of United Methodist clergy is appalling. A summary of prevailing trends paints a bleak picture. The majority of United Methodist clergy:

• Work 60-70 hours a week

• Are 15-20 pounds overweight

• Exercise less than 30 minutes each week

• Report gastro-intestinal discomfort on a regular basis

• Are in the "high-risk" category for heart-related problems

• Cope with symptoms of depression

• Report low morale and/or exhaustion

• Express guilt about not spending more time with family

• Take one or more prescription medications on an ongoing basis

Bishop Sally Dyck, Minnesota Area, starts every day with an early morning run.

Effective clergy leadership requires a new commitment to self-care and wellness. If we are too busy to exercise each day, we are too busy. If we refuse to monitor and manage what we eat, we are abdicating responsibility as mature adults. If we will not set boundaries on the hours we spend in the office, out in the community and with loved ones, we model slavery to powers and principalities of this earth rather than freedom in the Spirit.

One solution is to form a clergy wellness group. Clergy are banding together to form covenants around exercise, diet, rest, renewal, learning and recreation - where they hold each other accountable to practices that lead to a greater quality of life. Rather than waiting for disaster to strike, these leaders are taking preventive action.

—The Rev. Dan R. Dick, General Board of Discipleship

*Statistics taken from Duke Divinity School studies, General Board of Discipleship clergy morale studies and the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits