Alaina Kleinbeck: The dangers of workism, especially for pastors
Our culture prizes meaningful work, and a lot of it. What does that mean for pastors whose desks are actually altars?
Chanequa Walker-Barnes: The purpose of rest is to enable us to work more, right?
Deeply and faithfully loving and caring for oneself is enough -- it’s not just a pause between activities, writes a seminary professor and psychologist.
Allison Backous Troy: Praying the Jesus Prayer showed me Christ
In the midst of a painful health crisis, a simple prayer revealed God’s presence not only in the midst of the writer’s own suffering, but also in the suffering of others.
Sue DiMaggio: Push too hard and the flame goes out
On the verge of burnout, a hyperbusy ‘Martha’ goes on a retreat, hoping to channel her inner ‘Mary’ -- but finds it hard to let go of her Martha-like ways.
Andrea Palpant Dilley: Slacking off and the call to Sabbath
For overstressed, overworked Christians trying to save the world, watching TV and other squandered moments are not a sign of laziness or complacency but a fitting response to the call to Sabbath.
Ed Moore: Clergy depression paralyzes
One of the first faculties to suffer when a pastor stumbles into the valley of shadows is the capacity for theological reflection, says a Christian leader who has struggled with depression.
Mel Williams: Sustaining ministry leadership for the long haul
A retired Baptist pastor whose ministry has revolved around social justice says doing grows out of being. Long-term social justice ministry cannot be sustained without a consistent spiritual practice.
Self-care is not self-ish
Caught up in the day-to-day demands of ministry, clergy often find it difficult to take time to attend to their health. But in North Carolina, UMC clergy are learning that it’s more than OK to care for themselves.
