Clergy + Leaders + Caretakers

AN ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL SKILL

Self-care refers to activities and practices that we can engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and maintain and enhance our short and longer-term health and well-being.

Self-care is necessary for your effectiveness and success in honoring your professional and personal commitments.

"You cannot serve from an empty vessel"   - Eleanor Brown 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) (NIV) 

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MINISTRY STATISTICS

Ninety percent of those in ministry reported feeling inadequately trained to cope with ministry demands. 



LOWER SELF-ESTEEM

70% say they have a lower self-esteem now compared to when they started in ministry.

40% Reported serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.

37% Confessed to having been involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church.


STRESSED

75% report being "extremely stressed" or "highly stressed."

70% do not have someone they consider a close friend

90% work 55-75 hours per week

70% say they're grossly underpaid

80% will not be in ministry ten years later and only a fraction makes it a lifelong career


 We've worked so hard to gain approval and esteem that we're now crushed under the heavy burdens of fear, shame, and a lack of self-worth.

We've traded our longing to belong for the quick fix of fitting in.

We've traded wholeness for perfectionism. 

Shame works like the zoom lens on a camera. When we are feeling shame, the camera is zoomed in tight, and all we see is our flawed selves, along and struggling.

In shame, we live divided lives that rob us of wholeness and peace.

Divided and fragmented, we work tirelessly to perfect ourselves but only end up exhausting ourselves. 

This is our common story. No one is immune.

Self-compassion gives our Inner Critic the day off.

Last modified: Thursday, June 8, 2023, 10:04 AM