Lifeway Research Study gathered responses from pastors in relation to the difficulty of connecting with their congregants and keeping up with needs in a manageable way during the pandemic. Some helpful information below, that might assist during this time.
The habits of personal, spiritual self-care that were already necessary for pastors are being revealed and amplified during the pandemic, stated by Geremy Keeton, senior director of counseling at Focus on the Family.
– “A pastor’s ability to know how to gauge his or her need for self-care is essential every week of his or her ministry.
– “Pastors are holistically ministering to their flock, and so they have to holistically minister to themselves,”
Special emphasis on the need for pastors to pay attention to their mental and physical health, as these concerns are magnified during the pandemic.
– “Prioritize and nourish their personal walk with Christ, discipline themselves to exercise 30-60 minutes a day, outside, if possible, for the vitamin D.
The importance of pastors to talk with each other, to share their challenges, successes as well as their needs to simply be there for each other, learning and growing together.
~ CYNTHIA WASHINGTON WILLIAMS
Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Licensed Addiction Counselor, Military and Family Life Counselor