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Just the other day I thought of this exciting introduction to the Superman television series I watched so often as a kid. In those days, George Reeves played Superman, long before Christopher Reeve. I was having an interesting conversation with a member of the senior pastor search committee for a large congregation. The committee had surveyed congregation members about the top qualities they desire in their next pastor. When I asked what qualities surfaced in the survey, she laughed and then shared the following list: powerful preacher, outstanding theologian, heart for the poor, enjoys visiting shut-ins, engaging personality, effective counselor, friendly, energetic, visionary leader, comfortable with children, youth and older adults, good at managing staff and financial resources, able to attract new people to the church, and spiritually mature. I thought, “They want Super Pastor!”

If your church has searched for a new pastor recently, perhaps you have your own super pastor list! There’s no question that the expectations we have of our pastors are extensive. Today’s congregations are complex systems and each has a unique culture. I’m guessing that more than one pastor has wondered whether Jesus himself could satisfy the expectations of congregation members!

Given these numerous and diverse expectations, it is no wonder that clergy health has become a significant issue for the church. Recent studies of clergy indicate that physical and emotional ailments related to or caused by stress are higher for clergy than for the general population. Nor is it a surprise when clergy spouses and families struggle or when the moral expectations of the pastoral office are violated.

We have observed over the years that new and creative ideas for new health and human care programs in congregations most often come from those congregations whose clergy and congregation systems enjoy a reasonably high sense of wellness. Since we want to continue to see new ministry ideas develop in congregations and to have the opportunity to help seed them, Wheat Ridge has invested in a number of efforts to encourage clergy and congregation wellness. These have ranged from Peter Steinke’s “Bridge Builders” process to the Grace Place Retreats founded by Dr. John Eckrich. Wheat Ridge regularly hosts “Living Well Days for Professional Church Workers” and we have developed a Sabbatical Resource Center to encourage this important tool for clergy health.

Earlier this month, I was on site at another of these creative and impactful efforts to assist clergy leaders, the Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI). I am proud that Wheat Ridge Ministries helped seed two major components of PLI during its early years of development.

PLI is an intensive process of leadership training, spiritual discernment and emotional and physical health encouragement for pastors who are recommended to the program by their district presidents. It’s not designed to rescue pastors who are ineffective or in the midst of significant struggle. Rather, it’s a proactive process designed to assist capable pastors who are serving effectively but who desire to grow personally and professionally for the sake of the expansion of God’s kingdom. One of the unique features of the PLI process is the inclusion, for married clergy, of the pastor’s spouse, recognizing that the pastor and spouse are both in ministry in a congregation and that they can serve most effectively when they grow together.

Another unique aspect of PLI is its commitment to address not only the intellectual aspects of leadership skills and style, but also the importance of self-care and growth – spiritually, emotionally and physically. PLI gatherings include much time in Bible study and in worship, of course. Counselors are provided as well as access to physicians. Collegial teams are formed for mutual encouragement and support. There is also an international requirement that places the pastor and, in the case of a married pastor, the pastor’s spouse in short-term service outside of the United States.

The pastor’s congregation invests significantly in the process both financially and in other ways. The prayers and support of the congregation are critical, as is the congregation’s willingness to allow the pastor and spouse to attend multiple events and training experiences each of the four years of the PLI process. It is encouraging that several hundred pastors and their congregations have participated in the PLI process to date!

I’ve appreciated so much that the leaders of PLI have studied and adapted as appropriate best practices from other denominations as well as from the civic and corporate world and that they’ve been so willing to share the PLI model with others. If you are interested in learning more, please visit www.plinstitute.org.

Please keep PLI and efforts in Christian denominations to assist and encourage our clergy in your prayers! Let’s keep finding new clergy wellness models to seed and support! And, of course, let’s do all that we can to support and encourage all clergy, teachers, staff and lay leaders who God calls to service!