Atención al clero
El cuidado del clero es una parte esencial del cuidado de las congregaciones y comunidades.
Hoy en día, el clero vive y sirve en tiempos complejos. Las horas son largas. El trabajo requiere trabajo emocional y habilidades interpersonales. Las tareas van de lo teológico a lo mecánico. Los resultados son a menudo ambiguos y pocos proyectos tienen un final definido. La necesidad de un sábado único y prolongado es real.
El énfasis en la salud integral forma parte de nuestra tradición wesleyana. Juan Wesley creía que la salud física, mental y espiritual estaban relacionadas.
"El apoyo que recibe (o no recibe) el clero repercute directamente en su eficacia y en la sostenibilidad de las congregaciones y comunidades. El Reino de Dios crece más plenamente cuando el clero está sano y completo, y, por el contrario, un clero insano y sin apoyo obstaculiza la misión de Dios".
- AUSTIN Y COMEAU, 2022
Recursos financieros
Actualmente, la Conferencia de Tennessee-Oeste de Kentucky ofrece dos becas relacionadas con la atención al clero:
Beca de renovación del clero
The Clergy Renewal Leave Grant provides financial assistance for Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference clergy to take a renewal leave according to ¶351.3 of The 2024 Book of Discipline.
Well-Being Mini Grant
La Conferencia de Tennessee-Western Kentucky recomienda que tanto laicos como clérigos cultiven una práctica diaria de bienestar que incluya cinco dimensiones: física, emocional, espiritual, relacional y financiera. Hay minibecas disponibles para apoyar al clero en sus prácticas habituales de bienestar.
Programa de Asistencia al Empleado
In the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, all appointed individuals, as well as members in their household, are eligible to access services through an Employee Assistance Program.
Wespath Employee Assistance Program
For clergy and employees who have insurance through Wespath’s HealthFlex, you are eligible to receive confidential counseling and support through Wespath’s Employee Assistance Program. You and members of your household – including those not covered by Wespath’s HealthFlex insurance – have access to eight free sessions per concern per year.
HOW TO GET HELP: Services are confidential. Annual conferences and employers will not know if you choose to use the EAP. Call Optum Health directly at 1-866-881-6800, or log in to the Personify Health app.
Methodist Le Bonheur Employee Assistance Program
Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare offers employee assistant program (EAP) services to all clergy and appointed supply pastors who do not have insurance through Wespath HealthFlex. This plan covers individuals under appointment who have waived healthcare coverage, those who are not eligible for health benefits, and retirees, as well as members of their household, offering eight free sessions per concern per year.
CÓMO OBTENER AYUDA: Para acceder a los servicios, llame al 800-880-5658.
Libros y artículos
Books, research, and resources offering evidence-based insights and practical strategies to support the mental health and well-being of clergy, congregations, and the systems that care for them.
Caring for Clergy: Understanding a Disconnected Network of Providers
Thad S. Austin & Katie R. Comeau
This book draws on national research to examine the individuals and organizations that provide counseling, coaching, spiritual direction, and other support to clergy, revealing significant gaps and disconnects among providers that impact the quality of care pastors receive.
Iniciativa sobre la salud del clero
Duke Clergy & Religion Research Collaborative
Desde 2007 ha reunido datos valiosos sobre el bienestar mental, físico y espiritual específicos del clero metodista unido. Encuentre prácticas de bienestar físico, mental y espiritual, estrategias que utilizan los clérigos prósperos, factores de protección contra el agotamiento y la mala salud mental, y prácticas para manejar el estrés.
2025 Clergy Well-Being Survey
Wespath Benefits and Investments provides a collection of clergy well-being studies, including its biennial Clergy Well-Being Survey, alongside denominational health research from external sources, tracking trends in the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of United Methodist clergy over time.
CommonTable
Network for clergy care providers. Past virtual gatherings include topics such as clergy resilience, clergy work-family conflict, and the church as frontline mental health providers.
Prosperar en el ministerio
Birthed out of Dr. Matt Bloom and the University of Notre Dame; supports ministry leaders into daily wellbeing, resilience, thriving, and wellness.
Rest is Resistance
Tricia Hersey
Rooted in Black liberation theology and Afrofuturism, this book challenges the culture of overwork and constant productivity, making the case that rest is a form of resistance and a pathway to reclaiming one’s humanity and power in a world driven by relentless labor.
