The Schaeffer Institute, who has studied the life of clergy for several decades, recently reported that 50 % of clergy feel so stressed out that they would leave the ministry if they had another way to make a living.That raises some interesting theological questions.
1. Did God make a mistake 50 % of the time in calling people to ministry?
2. Were 50% of the clergy mistaken and didn’t really have a call from God?
3. Or, like Moses (Numbers 11:10-17) , are many authentically called clergy overwhelmed by the demands of the ministry and despairing about their ability to continue?
If number 3 is the answer, then does the church need to rethink the structure of ministry so that we can do a better job of maintaining the health of the clergy. (In Numbers, God decided to restructure the ministry for exactly that purpose.)
Is it possible that a renewed understanding of the Sabbath in a variety of forms might contribute to the revitalization of the ministry. Let me suggest three practical steps that you might take on your own behalf and on behalf of your colleagues.
1. Consider attending the Presbytery Pastoral Care Networks annual conference in Louisville, KY on July 31 and August 1, 2013. You can get information on their website, www.pastoralcarenetwork.org The theme is Sabbath and Sabbaticals in Stressful Times.
2. Whether you are clergy or lay, Presbyterian or of another denomination, you can go to that same website and sign up to receive their free newsletter that regularly suggests ways to keep clergy healthy.
3. You, personally, could take your calendar right now and identify at least one half day a month that you would pull away from both home and office for prayer and reflection on where God is speaking to you and your ministry. Find a park, a library, a Starbucks or a Paneras. Take your Bible and maybe some paper, find a corner where you won’t be disturbed and pray and reflect and listen.
You will be enriched by these regular sabbatical breaks and you will find yourself more capable of being a friend to your colleagues.
