SIGNS TO NOTICE
Below are listed several possible negative SIGNS in the life of clergy. Think about clergy you know and work with. These signs are divided into categories. Different clergy will give off different signals. Identify the top five that you have experienced in your work with clergy.
Physical
1. Loss of energy
2. Depression
3. Suicide
4. Obesity, diabetes, and other health problems
5. Rise in number of heart attacks
Family
6. Family tensions involving children
7. Marital discord and divorce
Boundary ISSUES
8. Sexual misconduct
9. Interest in pornography
10. Inappropriate use of websites
Emotional
11. Resistance to seeking spiritual or emotional counseling
12. Low emotional tolerance that leads to conflict
13. Conflict between pastor and congregation
14. Conflict between clergy and his/her denomination
15. Attracted by bizarre theological ideas and groups
Professional
16. Decrease in skills in pastoral care to congregation
17. Lower quality of sermons and liturgy
18. Loss of joy in pastorate
19. Leaving the pastoral ministry
20. Other ________________
Exacerbated by Loneliness
Now look at how loneliness and isolation can exacerbate the condition resulting in these symptoms. Examine the five areas that you have chosen. How are they affected by not being able to process what is happening with people the pastor can trust?
How might healthy colleagueship with other clergy ameliorate the impact of the problem?
Have you considered reaching out to some clergy, maybe some you don’t know very well, and seeing what a lunch invitation might generate?
JOIN US IN FORT WORTH,
OCT 27-30
REDISCOVERING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY: OVERCOMING ISOLATION
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