Clergy gather as part of the self-care and wellness initiative

By Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed

The beautiful campus of The Methodist Children’s Home was the site of the third of four self-care, wellness initiatives. The self-care and wellness initiative is a collaboration with the Conference Task Force on Mental Health and the Diversity and Justice Ministries Office for South Georgia Conference. 

South Georgia was awarded a grant from the General Commission on Religion and Race to focus on mental health for its minority clergy.  The first gathering was The Bishop’s Day Apart, held in November 2023. The second was held on January 16 in Macon designed for our Spanish speaking clergy. The most recent gathering on Friday, February 16, was specifically designed for all African American pastors.  

This self-care intensive focused on the “racialized trauma” and its impact upon African American pastors. 

Mental health is important for all members of our conference, but it is especially important to acknowledge and address those challenges faced by minority clergy due to past and or present realities.

Each day long session has been specifically designed to allow ‘those called, anointed, appointed and set apart’ who provide leadership and guidance to others in their spiritual journey a unique opportunity to reflect, discuss, and retool their own mental health outlook. 

Gallop polls have consistently over the years (Mind the Workplace 2023 Report) reported that job burnout is real and contributes to mental health struggles and psychological distress of those in stressful occupations. 

While leading a church is a privilege and an honor, it can also be super stressful. Becoming aware of pastoral stress is key to long-term health as a leader. A recent Lifeway study reported that 63% of all pastors’ report stress as one of their greatest mental challenges.  

As with the first gathering, the February gathering was led by Dr. Ronald Bell of the Board of Global Ministries Upper Room Ministries. In each session he has used his unique gift and abilities to lead participants to self-assess how one of the most dangerous parts of stress is that it can be difficult to recognize. Self-care is paramount.  We live in a time where none of us are exempt from demanding schedules, long hours, high stress, and emotionally taxing situations on regular basis. We are reminded to follow the example set by Jesus throughout the Gospels which is to assess and care for our well-being and emotional health. Be intentional about your self-care. 

As mentioned by one of the participants: “This session was well worth the drive to Macon, and the hospitality at the Methodist Home is always outstanding.”

Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed is the Director for Diversity and Justice Ministries for the South Georgia Conference. She can be reached at abra@sgaumc.com.