The future is cloudy. Ministers
would like to plan ahead, forecast a visionary approach to the work, and proceed with energized hopes. How- ever, like everyone else, ministers do not know what will happen the next day, much less the next five Sundays. Contingency plans can be made, but one never knows what the next steps ought to be. From everything I read, we are looking at resurgence of the virus in the fall and what one government official called a “long dark winter.” The collapse of the job and finan-
cial markets impacts churches. No doubt churches will close, having reached the end of savings and not receiving enough income to go on. Most churches in America have fewer than 100 members, leaving them vul- nerable to shutdowns, loss of jobs for ministers, and significant issues with debt. This weighs on ministry staff and can cause a great deal of stress. Pastors are physically not healthy.
I don’t want to mention this, but it has been pointed out many times that many in ministry are overweight, stressed, do not exercise or observe a healthy diet. Additional stress in all the areas mentioned above will have a negative result on the minis- ter’s health. Although there is a lot of humor being expressed about eating our way through the pandemic, that probably won’t feel funny in the ER. They have conformed to a 7 day schedule. Ministers usually have one or two days “off” per week like most people. Also most ministers are self-reporting. There’s no one mak- ing sure they work as they are asked, nor demanding that they take their time off. Church leaders should urge their ministers to take their time off seriously. Now that the awareness of what day it is has been jumbled, many are working seven days a week and not taking any sabbath rest. This is leading to depression, exhaustion, and loss of heart for the work. They are unwilling to take vaca- tion. How can a minister consider
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taking a week off during a pandemic? The idea of travel is just now becoming more of a possibility, but it still carries its risks. In addition, who is going to see that all the online stuff happens if the minister is out of pocket? I know ministers who were set to take sabbaticals, but instead are running on fumes, unable to get away. Congregational leadership is not doing itself any favors by expecting the ministry staff to run full steam ahead when they do not have any steam left. Pastors do not seek out mental health. Some years ago a well-known pastor suggested that all ministers should see a therapist once a month. We spend sig- nificant time helping other people with their problems. Although the wisest of us refer those with mental health issues to a certified counselor, we still worry about others. And we do not take care of our own mental health. Since ministers are in a helping profession, they often do not see the need to receive help them- selves. There is an attempt to minister out of the emptiness of the soul which I think will result in dangerous decisions and perspectives. They are in dangerous spiritual territory. Weakened and exhausted, tempta-
tions that once were not so strong have now grown strong. To cope with the stress of this situation some numb the pain with drugs, alcohol, pornography, gluttony, excessive television … or anything to excess. Resistance is low to temptations that invade the minister’s private space. I believe we are going to see the affects of this pandemic on the ministers in
all denominations. All of this leads me to conclude that there is a coming pastoral crash. And
I don’t think we can stop it. Our pastoral care providers are maxed out. While some church members might think their preacher’s duties are relaxed, but it is actually the opposite. As we head into the coming months, I believe we are going to see the affects of this pandemic on the ministers in all denominations. I’m tempted to write out a list of things we need to do now to avoid the crash.
There are many articles already available offering strategies for good mental and physical health. But it’s hard to get preachers and ministry staff to slow down long enough to look in the mirror. It is equally hard to find church leaders who demand that their ministers slow down and get help. The impact of min- istry job losses, minister burn outs, and ministry suicide is going to be a major event for the church to deal with in the coming year.
The best strategy I know *Ministers must commit to ministering to their own hearts first. Engage in
the spiritual disciplines, re-engage frayed family relationships, restart physical exercise and rest, or take time to rest and read non-work-related relaxing books. Whatever feeds your heart, you should do it. Now. If you are waiting for the pandemic to be over, you might not survive. *Ministers must commit to look out for one another. To speak into the lives
of those we perceive are growing weaker will be a means of rescue for them (and perhaps yourself). We know that congregational leaders simply do not know the ministerial life. They love their preachers, but they don’t live in the same world, just as we do not live in the world of other occupations (which are facing their own crises). So, wherever you can be with other ministers and look out for one another, do so. Facebook groups, calls, emails, and perhaps meeting together observing social distancing. Reach out to your fellow ministers. Pray for and with one another. I hope I’ve overstated the case, been a worry wart, and this post won’t age
well. I hope in a year you’ll call me ‘chicken little’ worried about the sky falling. But I doubt it.?
This article was originally posted on
https://johndobbs.com/the-coming-pastoral-crash/. The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
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