What if clergy took their health more seriously?
When the days of having multiple clergy, staff and an army of women volunteers ended, the work became fragmented, stressful, and demanding. Unprepared clergy suffer from depression and obesity – even if they know they love their work and the call. Especially the smaller church pastor is often underequipped to handle the demands of building management, event planning, and performance that are each separately stressful upon the body.
I do not mourn the old days. I never knew them. And to some extent I enjoy the diversity of the workday and its challenges. My part-time staff is productive, helpful and supportive, so it’s manageable. I count my blessings, which are many.
But it’s easy to get overwhelmed. And for this reason, I wonder that clergy should have a rule about health. It should be non-negotiable, and may save the lives of a few clergy, and of some congregations.
And it might be like this.
The first rule of a priest is go to the gym. Every day. Do it first. Before work. Do it also for the health of the church. Because a priest that does not make a concerted, deliberate effort to do this work, will less effectively set important boundaries in other areas.
If it means postponing meetings until 11am, then do so.
If it means that you aren’t in the office until 10 or even 12, get to the gym.
Make it easy. If your gym has a locker, rent one.
If you need to just practice going to the gym, get there, take off your clothes, take a shower and then leave.
Put your clothes back on first.
If necessary, assure the parish. This will make you more productive, happier and they will be happier as well. If they complain, we remind them that we want them to do the same, and find ways to be intentional about their own health. Getting to the gym at a later office hour will still require that the tasks get done. It’s not license to leave early; trust that the impact of the exercise has shown to increase brain power. The work will more likely get done.
The consequences will have a cascading effect: exercise allows for better sleep; then it’s easier to workout again. The pastor will have more energy.
What works for me? When I’m at my best I have a four day a week lifting program. It’s probably the only thing that keeps me going to the gym regularly. The other day I do a very light 30 minute walk / run. Admittedly, I’m not always consistent. But a “rule” of life is not meant to be a whipping rod to lash oneself with guilt but an orientation to live into.
I recognize this is flip. But that first 20 minutes may change the nature of the day. It may begin with just walking. Wise priests might get a trainer or a coach for a few weeks to get started.
I suppose there are other things about health that are probably central. Jesus hates soda, including diet soda. Addicts trying to give that up can allow themselves flavored seltzer water. And if thats not pleasing enough, try dark chocolate or beer.
Jesus loves beer and dark chocolate.
The Divine Latitude 
Thanks again, Gawain. During the spring summer I rock climb and hike regularly. I am outdoors as much as possible. During the winter, I still usually walk to work, which is my morning and afternoon exercise. My winter gym use this year was poor, however.
I keep Sabbath on Thursdays, and tomorrow I will take my first hike of the spring through Popolopen Gorge.
Does Jesus have a favorite beer?
That’s a good model. I would like to walk to work more often. I suggest that Jesus really likes it all, except for Post-Prohibition American Style Pale Ales. But even then he’d pretty much go with whatever’s served.
[…] Lent he has been blogging almost daily on practical and provocative topics. Yesterday he posted on Taking Clergy Health Seriously, and the importance of our getting into the gym, getting outside, and getting good food and good […]