TO BUSY TO BE HEALTHY
It is not uncommon for busy people to neglect the very basic attention that one needs to give to their physical health. Our bodies are amazing organisms but they are not indestructible. If we don’t get enough sleep, neglect a balanced diet, are too busy to get regular exercise, succumb to the temptations of excess sugar, salt, etc., there will come a time when our bodies will rebel against this poor treatment. Being a clergy person does not protect us from paying the price for neglecting our bodies.
A congregation pays a price for allowing their pastors to ignore the basics of care for their bodies. It is far better to be clear with a new pastor that the church expects them to expend time attending to their physical bodies. A physically healthy pastor offers better ministry than one whose body has rebelled.
HAVING A PRE-CLERGY CONVERSATION
An interim, who knows the various excuses that busy pastors give for not caring for themselves, can assist the session or governing body in thinking through this issue. When it is done before a specific pastor is identified, personalities are not involved and the value the congregation places on clergy health is declared.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
From the list below, identify at least one area where your congregation is already supporting clergy and staff and one where they could do a better job.
We encourage our pastor(s) and staff to:
1. Have a dedicated time to do physical exercise.
2. Belong to a Y or sports club where they have exercise equipment and trainers.
3. Participate in a sport or some other communal activity that engages in physical activity.
4. Get annual physical exams.
5. Avoid skipping or rushing meals because of professional demands
6. Not answer the phone during family dinners but use the voice mail.
7. Be aware of healthy foods and a good diet.
8. Monitor one’s weight.
9. Have good sleep habits.
10. Allow for enough time for sleep.
11. Be aware of ways to interrupt stress when it has increased to a high level.
12. Recognize and make allowances for situations that trigger negative emotional responses.
In addition, an area that can be addressed in both the category of physical health and emotional health is that of how a person responds to stress.
Once you have identified several areas that seem appropriate for your congregation, consider how you want to communicate this concern as the search committee narrows in on a particular candidate.
