Ministry Mental Health

PROTECTING PASTOR’S MENTAL HEALTH

Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries

Aside from daily physical and economic tolls reported daily, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a less visible, yet nearly as potent lingering effect: The emotional and mental health of the nation has been taking a beating.

Racial discord and personal identity struggles have increased emotional struggles. Stress and anxiety, growing over the last decade, among teens has mushroomed under a cloud of questions about school attendance. Ditto for college undergrads, and graduates entering an uncertain work force.

Moreover, corona contagion fears have caused spikes in duress within houses of faith, long seen as sanctuary safe havens. The tension is not restricted to congregants frustrated with not being able to congregate. Fear abounds among church-goers reluctant to return to limited corporate gatherings despite attention to social distancing and sanitization procedures.

Pastors — fully human, after all — are not immune to mental health struggles. Spouses and parents in the congregation should identify with the responsibilities of leading families. Ponder the weight of being a ministerial CEO — interceding in church family issues, stewarding church business (regardless of congregation size), studying to prepare a weekly message applicable to eternal life, live viewing audience and the times we’re living. Perhaps you feel the pressure as well. Now add the COVID concerns above, plus behind-the-scenes responses since shelter-inplace: overseeing building and ministry reorganizations, Zoom fatigue, deaths without funeral closure and accompanying repetitive grief.

It’s little wonder clergy not only burn out, leave, stray or worse. Headlines in 2020 have reported suicides of three notable pastors or pastor’s children.

This news captures our attention because of mental health resources developed by our ensemble members and pastors who advise us. These resources are background for scenes we are developing to emphasize including faith mental health management girding professional aid with Biblical insight.

We’re updating our website to link many blogs and handouts for pastors and others. These ideas are timely because October includes Mental Health Awareness Week and such insight coincides with Pastor Appreciation Month. Tips range from simple actions as “Smile” or “Call.” Please review them, ask about access to them (info@kit-ministries.com), but more importantly, use them in good health:

“Biblical Guides for Mental Health” — 7 actions with Scripture resources

“Coping on Bad Mental Health Days” — 12 activities free to download

“College, Ministry & Stress” — Managing life on campus

Mental Health First Aid — 8-Course Training Program to provide help

Suicide Prevention Awareness — Warning signs, community impact

How to Combat Zoom Fatigue — 6 refreshers from Harvard Business Review

THE ‘ART’ OF STRESS RELIEF

Speaking of mental health struggles is difficult for most people, and even moreso in Christian families — bloodkin and church-kin.

There is ‘sin’ stigma attached to such conditions, similar to accusations made by Job’s friends, that illnesses stem from lack of faith or prayer.

To be sure, prayer IS a powerful element in the quest for recovering from stress. Such healing has been pointed out medically and Biblically.

In particular, the Old Testament notes the impact of journaling, music and design as artistic stress reliefs.

A Harvard School of Public Health study on impact of prayer on mental health.

The LORD’s instructions to build the original temple were placed in the hands of gifted artisans. Saul requested David play his harp to soothe evil spirits that oppressed him. In Psalms, David merge music and literature writing emotional poetry with instructions for musicians to compose as the lyrics lead. Sample: “5 Psalms for People Struggling with Anxiety and Fear.”

These actions can be employed today to provide pandemic relief:

1. Read or listen to a psalm each day and journal of its application to daily events. Substitute your name, churches names, or names of loved ones to make the writing more personal.

2. Draw or color pictures that come to mind as you read Scripture and make your own image posts.

3. Listen to instrumental or reflective psalms, hymns and spiritual songs before going to bed, starting the day, or doing tasks at the computer or around the house.