For American clergy, the burdens of their calling increasingly threaten mental well-being
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The lingering effects of the pandemic weigh heavily on Roland Stringfellow. In the wake of the 2020 lockdown, his church community in suburban Detroit faced disruption, compounded by the emotional strain of social unrest and political polarization following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Stringfellow, senior pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit, located in Ferndale, Michigan, observed the toll this period took on congregations, with some pastors turning to alcohol or substance abuse for relief. He credits his supportive staff for helping him navigate personal challenges, including divorce, and the pressures of leading an LGBTQ-friendly church amidst pandemic uncertainty and rising anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.
"How do you provide care for a congregation when everyone is fearful – including yourself?" asks Stringfellow, who identifies as gay.
According to the Clergy Health Initiative, clergy members are among the nation’s most overworked individuals, often juggling multiple responsibilities while raising families. Recent tensions have exacerbated mental health challenges, leading many to reconsider their vocations.
A survey sponsored by The Hartford Institute for Religion Research revealed high levels of dissatisfaction among Christian clergy, with nearly half contemplating leaving their congregations and over half considering leaving ministry altogether.
For numerous church leaders, the pandemic underscored structural issues within their institutions, shedding light on the burdens disproportionately borne by pastors.
0 Iruzkinak