. . . Pastors are often expected to be experts in every area of life from religion to finances to building maintenance to organization theory, often expected to be available 24/7, and to drop whatever they’re doing to be with everyone who has the tiniest need. Many clergy are susceptible to feeding into that anxious congregation’s mentality because we bring to the ministry our desires for affirmation. We often rush to fix problems as often as possible, to say “Yes” to every opportunity, to take on what others won’t so programs don’t fail (which would reflect poorly on our leadership, or so we think). This spirals into a sense that one’s self-worth is based in one’s own endeavors, and that you can never really do quite enough to prove yourself because there’s always one more thing that needs to be done.
Maybe you’re not clergy and you find that to be true for you. Or maybe you are a church member who has remarkably unreasonable expectations of your clergy. The truth is, it takes a large community working together to break these cycles of anxiety.
. ... READ MORE
Maybe you’re not clergy and you find that to be true for you. Or maybe you are a church member who has remarkably unreasonable expectations of your clergy. The truth is, it takes a large community working together to break these cycles of anxiety.
. ... READ MORE
About Clergy Reflections on Mental Health
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Clergy Reflections on Mental Health is an interfaith blog that offers wisdom, encouragement, and motivation for faith communities. The Clergy Blog Task Force allows clergy to share their connection to mental health through their stories and ministry experiences.
* Our mission is to offer multiple perspectives on how faith communities can reduce stigma around mental health and offer hope for all.
* Contributors provide examples and ideas of how our different faith communities address our mental health challenges, navigating crucial topics each month.
* The written experiences that our clergy contributors share allow other faith leaders to hopefully feel less alone in dealing with mental health issues.
Visit and SUBSCRIBE at https://clergymhblog.blogspot.com/
We are always seeking fresh voices. To volunteer to author a posting, or for more information on participating in the planning process, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
* Our mission is to offer multiple perspectives on how faith communities can reduce stigma around mental health and offer hope for all.
* Contributors provide examples and ideas of how our different faith communities address our mental health challenges, navigating crucial topics each month.
* The written experiences that our clergy contributors share allow other faith leaders to hopefully feel less alone in dealing with mental health issues.
Visit and SUBSCRIBE at https://clergymhblog.blogspot.com/
- Send comments and/or questions to: [email protected]
We are always seeking fresh voices. To volunteer to author a posting, or for more information on participating in the planning process, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/9/0/11904458/published/clergy-blog-script_1.png?1693602678)
Our Committee:
The Rev. Amy Brundle, M.Div.
Marketing & Communications Manager, NAMI North Carolina
Paul Burgess, BA, M. Div, D. Min
Minister
The Rev. Beth Cantrell
Clergy-at-Large
The Rev. Dr. Garry J. Crites
Clergy-at-Large
Deby Dihoff, BA Theology/Psychology; MA Special Education; Post Graduate Learning Disabilities
Retired Executive Director NAMI NC
The Rev. Barbara Elder
Clergy-at-Large
Warren Kinghorn, MD, ThD
Psychiatrist, Theologian, Duke University Medical Center and Duke Divinity School
Krisha Miller
Faith Connections on Mental Illness Board Member
The Rev. Amy Brundle, M.Div.
Marketing & Communications Manager, NAMI North Carolina
Paul Burgess, BA, M. Div, D. Min
Minister
The Rev. Beth Cantrell
Clergy-at-Large
The Rev. Dr. Garry J. Crites
Clergy-at-Large
Deby Dihoff, BA Theology/Psychology; MA Special Education; Post Graduate Learning Disabilities
Retired Executive Director NAMI NC
The Rev. Barbara Elder
Clergy-at-Large
Warren Kinghorn, MD, ThD
Psychiatrist, Theologian, Duke University Medical Center and Duke Divinity School
Krisha Miller
Faith Connections on Mental Illness Board Member