Five Signs of Clergy Health & Longevity
The road to ministry is filled with pastors who burned out, committed moral failure, or walked away from the ministry. For many, what began as an exciting adventure became a nightmare. Peter Drucker, who Business Week has called “the man who invented management,” said the four toughest jobs in America (in no particular order) were: President of the United States, President of a University, CEO of a Hospital, and Pastor of a Church.
Going the Distance
Not all ministry ends in disaster, failure, and frustration. Many clergy can and do thrive in various contexts. I want to encourage and equip church leaders to thrive and grow wherever they are. Several years ago, I began a research project in which I interviewed more than 30 long-term pastors throughout the United States. The clergy I interviewed were examples of ministry health, longevity, and mission.
Sponsored
Who are they? They come from 19 different states, and their churches vary in size from 150 to 4500. The average tenure was 20 years. They come from 13 different denominational backgrounds, including Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Anglican, Pentecostal, Charismatic, and non-denominational. Though their backgrounds vary, they all share the commonality of ministry health and longevity. They had weathered the highs and lows of ministry, leading their churches to a place of vitality.
My research highlights 10 overarching themes for ministry health, but the following five things ranked among the most recommended among the pastors. My prayer is that you will find a few golden nuggets of wisdom that will encourage you in your pastoral journey.
Top 5 Signs of Healthy Clergy
The Power of Vision
Vision matters in ministry. There is a direct correlation between having vision and longevity in ministry. Most pastors do not have a God-sized vision for their ministry.
Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.
Habakkuk 2:2
The clergy I interviewed had a long-term vision for their ministry context. As James Boice once noted,
We tend to overestimate what God will do in one year and underestimate what He will do in twenty.
Marriage & Family
Healthy pastors know that you have to take care of your family. They don’t let the church come before their family life. Paul says that a pastor must manage his household well (1 Timothy 3:4). The health of your family will ultimately influence and affect the health of your church.
Self Care
Healthy pastors take care of themselves. Healthy pastors seek to balance spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Paul says,
Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:16
It is good to periodically check to see how you are doing in these different areas of your life. Ask yourself, “Am I emotionally and spiritually healthy? If not, then what do I need to do to get there?” Remember, the church will only be as healthy as its leader.
Make Prayer a Priority
Prayer matters to God, and it should matter to us. These pastors make prayer a major priority in their lives and ministry. Prayer is how we stay centered and focused on Christ. We are told in Luke 5:16 that Jesus often withdrew to pray to God the Father. He knew the secret of staying connected to God through prayer. Without prayer, we end up doing ministry in our strength and power, which will result in burnout. Healthy pastors are praying pastors who depend on God in prayer.
Healthy Relationships
There are no lone rangers in the kingdom of God. Healthy pastors know the value of healthy relationships. God made us to live in community with others. Martin Luther said,
God has created man for fellowship, and not for solitariness.
Fellowship is an intimate union in which Christians share in Christ.
Healthy pastors seek to have healthy relationships inside the church and outside. Don’t go it alone. Surround yourself with people who can encourage and build you up. Remember, pastors, you need fellowship too!
The Sign of the Cross: A Rookie Anglican Guide
Why do Anglicans make the Sign of the Cross? When do they do it? How do they do it? I am often asked: “Why do you cross yourselves?” Often this is followed by “Isn’t that superstitious, like the baseball players who sign themselves before batting? Isn’t it a dead, rote ritual?” Sometimes, people don’t feel…
Paying the Pastor: How to Figure Out Compensation for Clergy
As the Evergreen Project continues to create, collect, and curate the best resources for a thriving church, the issue of clergy compensation is unavoidable. About a year ago, I wrote an article about this topic as part of a series on Awkward Church Questions. That means it is time to look at this issue again…
