What We Are Learning
Excellence in pastoral ministry is a gift of the healing and sustaining grace of God in the life of the whole person. Through faithful relatedness to God and others, good pastors maintain balance (wholeness) in their lives and ministries.
We have learned that the following practices all contribute to the health and vitality of the minister as he or she seeks to be faithful to God, to their family members, and to the Christian congregation and wider world.
Holy Friendships
Covenantal, accountable relationships with peers are particularly important for ministers. Clergy hunger for honest, trustworthy relationships with other ministers who understand the uniqueness of ordained ministry and who will commit to mutual accompaniment. Similarly, excellent ministers value accountability in all their relationships with family, laity, and other friends. ยท
Wholeness
Effective ministers pay attention to the integral relationship between body, mind, and spirit until balance in life becomes second nature. When things get out of balance, the best pastors take initiative to restore it, including renewed attention to their physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Support of families and congregations
Faithfulness in ministry depends upon maintaining healthy and supportive relationships with all family members and with congregational members. Healthy pastors come from healthy congregations and vice versa. Regular, ongoing communication is essential throughout the family and congregational systems.
Inquiry
Pastors who excel in ministry relish opportunities for ongoing study, growth, and development. They are particularly concerned to be informed about the challenging cultural issues that confront church and society today such as racism, economic and gender justice, and environmental stewardship.
Ongoing Renewal
Excellent ministers recognize that ministry is marked by rhythms of care of others and care of self, love of learning and acts of devotion, complex work and playful freedom. They seek regular occasions for renewal and sabbath, and they communicate their commitment to renewal to church members, family, and friends.