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From Psychology Today-
A few months ago, I screened the film Indivisible,
which was based on the true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner. The
portrayal of Chaplain Turner’s story of struggle and healing following
his combat zone deployment is both refreshing and valuable. The movie
highlights the often-hidden struggles of those who serve in ministry
roles. For example, as in Chaplain Turner’s case, any one of us can have
a crisis of faith, even our faith leaders. In addition, witnessing the
struggles of those perceived by some to be exempt from needing to ask
for help breaks down stigma.
In light of the suicide
death of Inland Hills Pastor Andrew Stoecklein this past Saturday, I am
again reminded that those who stand as a beacon of hope may have some
under-appreciated vulnerabilities. Those who serve within the clergy are
often driven by a deep and abiding mission, a calling that sometimes
has its roots in childhood intuition.
Many within the clergy derive a great sense of purpose — sometimes even
life-saving purpose — from inspiring hope and pointing us to a life of
faith and reliance on God.
More here-
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/free-range-psychology/201808/suicide-risk-among-pastors-and-clergy-members?fbclid=IwAR3MBnGd_wzlH2vbiKw24iQBlEHgRQLiJFP7u3jA1ER8-XN2n67OzmRMliM
From Clint Schnekloth-
According to my letter of call, my congregation called me to preach and teach. I guess this means I have to commit to saying things within hearing distance of others.
Additionally,
my letter indicates I’m called to do traditional pastor-like stuff:
sacraments, worship, pastoral care, encourage others to ministry, etc.
Then, as if the preaching and teaching weren’t enough, it indicates I’m supposed to speak for justice in behalf of the poor and oppressed, and equip my congregation for witness and service, and guide the people of God in proclaiming God’s love through word and deed.
I
fully recognize there is a lot of action in there, lots of loving,
ministering, sacramenting, etc. But you know, that letter of call is a
lot about speaking and words! My words. The words of those in my
congregation. The church is really a word-house. Words make
a difference. A seriously huge difference, so much so that the Savior of
the world is also referred to in our tradition as the Word.
Given
that reality, it’s always amazed me how silent clergy are, and how much
the church (writ large) attempts to silence clergy.
More here-
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/clintschnekloth/2019/01/the-silence-and-silencing-of-the-clergy/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=share_bar&fbclid=IwAR2tsZAANTJpjsUfx0ZK88o9p2wAxhDPFR6TRixsd-Lwk4Kw_31nn8C3HcE#HxIfX7mR8Jy18686.01
From The Telegraph-
Two days before Christmas, at 10.30 in the evening, the vicarage doorbell rang in my parish of Gilesgate, Sherburn and Shadforth, former pit villages just to the east of Durham city centre. It was a police sergeant. He had a young woman in his car who had just been removed from a situation where she was suffering domestic violence.
The woman had said she knew me, and that I would be able put her up for the night. If I couldn’t help, the sergeant explained, she was going to be on a chair in the front office of his police station until the morning.
My two grown-up children, both of them now in professional jobs and living away from home, were back to spend Christmas with me and their mother. They watched this scene unfold on our doorstep. Afterwards – when I had taken the woman to the local Travelodge, where we have an arrangement, and found her a room for the night – one of them remarked: “What a strange way of life you live, Dad!”More here-
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/vicar-know-better-anyone-many-clergy-close-edge/
From Psychology Today-
