New York Times: “Take a break from the Lord’s work”

“The findings have surfaced with ominous regularity over the last few years, and with little notice: Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen. Many would change jobs if they could.”

I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I knew that pastors were experiencing burnout, and at times feeling overwhelmed with the demands of the job, but I didn’t know that the use of antidepressants had risen, nor did I know that the life expectancy of pastors had fallen.

Further in the article I read this:

“Social trends, like the aging and shrinking of congregations, the dwindling availability of volunteers in the era of two-income households, and the likelihood that a male pastor’s wife has a career of her own, also spur some ministers to push themselves past their limits.”

In the face of all this bad news there was an upside; studies revealed that pastors who made time to get away were healthier and were better equipped to deal with the stresses of ministry.

As you know, Pastors Retreat Network has been serving pastors and their spouses since 1997. We want to be sure that we are able to continue this important work and we believe that with the support of friends like you we can do that.

Please consider sending a generous gift to the ministry of Pastors Retreat Network this week. We’ll put your gift to immediate use by providing retreats for the more than 100 pastors that have requested a Retreat Scholarship. The full cost of a five-day retreat for a pastor couple is $1500. Your gift, regardless of the size will help make these much needed retreats a reality. You can make your gift online by clicking here.

Thank you for helping keep our pastors strong. We appreciate you!

In His Grip,

Scott Papador
Executive Director

p.s.

To read the entire New York Times Article, click here.