Combatting A Church wide Epidemic

What might be called a spiritual virus is stalking the homes and pulpits of America's pastors. Each year, thousands of clergy walk away from their ministries. suffering from burnout brought on by frantic schedules and unrealistic expectations.

Former pastor Dr. Freddie Gage knows all too well about depression and burnout. In 1978, he was a Southern Baptist evangelist, who lost his ministry following anxiety attacks and clinical depression. Recalls Gage, "It was the first time in my life I was suicidal."

After spending time in a psychiatric hospital, Gage emerged healthier, although he continues to take medication for a chemical imbalance. Sadly, Gage's story is becoming common as pastors fall prey to a host of emotional, psychological and spiritual problems. "The clergy is like the Titanic --- it is sinking fast," he says. "Fifteen hundred ministers every month drop out of the ministry. That's an epidemic."

Even more sobering, is that nearly 6000 Southern Baptist ministers annually fall victim to burnout, depression, marital problems and even suicide. In fact, ministers of all denominations wrestle with similar problems.

A 1997 survey of Protestant clergy, conducted by the Barna Research Group, reported that 38 percent cited burnout as their greatest issue. Eighty percent said isolation was another key issue. Thirty-seven percent of the pastors polled admitted to marital infidelity, and 80 percent believed their lobs had a negative effect on their families.

To help the growing numbers of hurting pastors and their wives, Gage launched Wounded Heroes, a Christian psychotherapy ministry. Utilizing week long retreats, Wounded Heroes unites pastors with Christian psychologists, board certified counselors and therapists, who offer free clinical and spiritual counselinQ for issues such as forQiveness. spiritual restoration. adultery and stress management.

The program represents a safe haven for healing and restoration for many like Betsy Ramsey, a pastor's wife. She says, "We have given and given and given... and we're just very tired."

By the end of the week, pastors and their wives are better equipped to develop effective strategies that help them cope with the challenges of ministry. Of those who have gone through the program. many say they have renewed hone and strength for the battles ahead.

Barna, an expert on church trends in America, says running a church can be overwhelming. "If you study what takes place in the life and the career of a pastor, you find that it's a no-win situation. One of our studies discovered that the typical senior pastor is expected to juggle about 16 maior activities during the course of a week and to excel at all of those."

Stuart Rothberg, a counselor with Wounded Heroes, agrees with Barna. He adds that congregations must remember: "The man behind the pulpit is just a man."

But congregational needs are not the only reason for pastors' problems. Many clergy bring burnout upon themselves. Long hours, too many responsibilities and not enough time can force pastors to rely on their own strength. As a result, their spiritual walk with God can suffer. "I find that I get real busy doing the good things and sometimes forget the best," says Rev. Duane Kuykendall. "And these are the best... the times with God, the prayer, the study in the Word."

Psychologist Dr. Polly Cooper Brown offers this final word to pastors experiencing emotional and psychological burnout: "Don't suffer in silence into eternity. You are diminished by it, the congregations are diminished by it, the kingdom of God is diminished by your just suffering on."

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~ Standards to Live By ~

"And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you,for power is perfected in weakness.' ...For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:9a,10b

"So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy." - Romans 9:16