VirtueOnline: Clergy Care

This long quote is from David Virtue's weekly Viewpoints, a lengthy compilation of Anglican news stories. "CLERGY CARE. The church is facing a crisis with respect to Clergy burn-out/stress related illness and gifted people dropping out of ministry altogether. Consider these statistics taken from a recent survey from the Fuller Institute of Church Growth: * 80% of pastors surveyed felt their ministry affected their family negatively * 75% reported a serious stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry * 90% felt inadequately trained to cope with job demands * 70% had a lower self image than when they started in ministry * 40% had a serious conflict with a parishioner once a month * 50% had considered leaving the ministry within the past three months * 70% had no one they considered to be a close friend Ideas for Encouraging Your Pastor Throughout the Year 1. Pray for them DAILY! 2. Take the family to lunch after church. 3. Teach your pastor a hobby. 4. Baby sit their children so they can go on a date! 5. Ask them: 'How can I help you?' 6. Don't say negative things about them around your children or others. 7. Take their family on vacation with you. 8. Mow their lawn or shovel their walk. 9. Keep your expectations of their children in check. 10. Protect your pastor's privacy. 11. Let them know when you have received a spiritual insight as a result of their teaching. 12. Use your talents and gifts in the church. 13. Be ready to meet needs in their life wherever you see them. (Taken from Under His Wings Ministries)"