Church Worker Wellness
Posted on September 27, 2022
by Rev. Dave Gunderson, LMFT
Many church members have a big heart and want to help in caring for church workers. But, they don’t always know how. Read on for 20 ways that you individually and your congregation can care for your pastor and other professional church workers.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on July 25, 2022
by Toni Larson, LISW
Church worker families have their actions and lives scrutinized by parishioners and folks in the general public. There is overwhelming pressure to be a “perfect” family that handles all situations and stresses flawlessly and without breaking a sweat.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on June 27, 2022
by Rev. Dave Gunderson, LMFT
Being “blue” on occasion is normal, but being stuck in the “blues” is not. Some experience depression briefly, and with help, can move out of it. Others struggle with it their entire lives and may need both counseling and special medications. Learn 5 ways you can use to beat the “Blues” of depression.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on May 18, 2022
by Toni Larson, LISW
Church workers’ transitions run the gamut of exciting, joyful, frightening and stressful. In addition to the usual church year transitions, there are transitions from one call to another and one home to another. For Lutheran school teachers, the transition is growing one class of students, saying goodbye, then welcoming another class a few months later.
Preparation can be helpful in handling life’s changes to reduce stress and expedite adjustment. In her article, “Ten Tips for Handling Life’s Transitions,” author Nylse Esahc (Ibelieve.com, March 10, 2019), suggested the following points with accompanying Bible references, followed by my observations.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on April 6, 2022
by Toni Larson, LISW
Emotions are neither good nor bad. They just are. Emotions are a creation and gift of God. Pastors and other church workers face emotions every day. How you respond externally and internally can be critical to the success of your ministry.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on February 28, 2022
by Toni Larson, LISW
Maintaining healthy boundaries is a challenging but vital task for pastors and other church workers. Without healthy boundaries, workers run the risk of compassion fatigue, interpersonal conflict and role confusion.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on July 3, 2021
by Toni Larson, LISW
The thought of having an addiction can be frightening. So frightening, that taking a hard look at what is happening may be avoided.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on June 4, 2021
by Toni Larson, LISW
Church workers don’t enter their vocation without bringing along their personal histories. This is the case with many helping professionals; they enter service professions having experienced their own issues. These issues could be personal or family trauma (abuse, substance abuse, loss of a parent or sibling, etc.); they may be genetically or biologically predisposed to depression, anxiety disorders, or addictions; they may develop, due to their circumstances and personality, depression, anxiety, addiction issues, etc.; and they may encounter current stressful life issues with their own spouse or children, congregations, transitions in life such as empty nest and retirement, and community conflict.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on July 23, 2019
Church workers and their families suffer, just like anyone else, and they are more likely to feel isolated and unable to seek help.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on October 16, 2017
by Rev. Max Phillips
The stress on pastors has never been light and these days with fewer pastors coming out of seminary the burden is growing. It is not unusual to know several pastors in each district of our church who are now serving three parishes. Quite a few serve either two congregations with many acting as chaplains for various emergency services organizations or other ministry enterprises in addition to serving a congregation. While the increasing volume of work isn’t necessarily bad, it is essential that these extra efforts are recognized for the good that the Lord does through them and that the pastors are encouraged and supported as they take on the extra load.
