Ministers Neglect Themselves?

What? Ministers neglecting their own health? My goodness, is that a surprise to someone? Apparently so, because Duke University has scored $12 million to conduct a 7-year study exploring this amazing phenomenon.

Apparently someone in North Carolina realized that among the 1,800 United Methodist Ministers there, many tend to put the concerns of parishioners above their own well-being, to be self-effacing, and to do whatever it take to please others, even to the point of putting their health in jeopardy.

No, I’m not kidding. Don’t ya just want to pitch a good dope-slap at them and holler, “Where have you been?!” But, hey, at least somebody noticed, and managed to get a grant to prove what’s been obvious to us all along.

Actually, someone did get a rather serious dope-slap when a 48-year-old pastor died of a heart attack, and a fellow pastor had the courage to look beyond the “God’s will” response. Why do statistics indicate that clergy tend to be more vulnerable than other professionals to depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and other health problems directly related to stress? Could something systemic be involved? Denominations are beginning to pay attention because the heath insurance costs to care for these stressed-out ministers will directly impact church budgets at every level.

The Duke University project is in the process of surveying pastors on issues of isolation, stress, satisfaction and of course, exercise, weight and diet. A pilot program is planned to provide health coaches to ministers and offer medical exams while the results are being studied and conclusions drawn.

What good might this study do? Personally, I doubt it will get any of our beloved spouses to exercise or take a day off. But it could get the attention of our denominational people and those responsible for our health insurance. That might lead to changes that could reduce stress and lighten the load on local clergy. For example, raising minimum salaries has the potential to reduce health care costs – the average Methodist pastor in North Carolina draws $42,000 annually, including housing allowance, and changes congregations every 3-4 years. If the Church is concerned about reducing stress on clergy, that might be a good place to start.

We can only hope and pray. In the meantime, I’m going to try to get MDH to take a walk with me, and leave his cell phone at home.

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