Go out into the world...

This week I will complete a very pleasant three month ministry. I have been the three month interim at a church while the pastor went on sabbatical. In contrast to other interims that I have experienced, there was no conflict in the congregation, no transition anxiety after a pastor’s departure, or a need to guide a congregation in reorganization. My task was to contribute a steady presence and quality worship while their pastor was experiencing some sabbatical renewal.

This is a great gift that retired pastors can contribute to the church. Most churches, when they think about it, can see the value in their pastor having a sabbatical. Contributing to the well-being of a pastors physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health is a good way to encourage long term yet vital ministry. Their anxiety comes in thinking about how they can maintain a vital community of worship when the guiding hand of the pastor is absent. An experienced retired pastor can bring that sense of stability to such a congregation.

In this particular case, the pastor had received a Lilly Grant for his sabbatical. In that grant was provision for paying for such an interim. That was very nice and I gladly accepted the salary. Yet I would have done it anyway. It is one of the ways that we can serve the larger church and it makes for a healthier Body of Christ.

If you are retired, you might want to give this some consideration.

Presbyterians Todayreported in their March issue a startling study of the changing weight of pastors. In the past 17 years, the average weight of pastors hs increased eleven pounds, from 181 pounds in 1991 to 192 pounds in 2008. The share of pastors who are obese has doubled from 14 percent to 27 percent in that time period. This increase, according to their study, occurred for both male and female pastors, and younger and older pastors. This is not the type of equality that we are seeking.

I’m assuming that this is happening in other denominations as well. I’m well aware that this also follows the national trend towards obesity among the general populace. There is evidence that this tendency towards obesity affects their mental health. Is it possible that it also affects their spiritual health and their capacity to engage in effective ministry?

I realize that there is a built in prejudice against heavy people. There is no physical description of Jesus in the Scriptures. The images we have are developed out of our imagination. Still, have you ever seen an image of a fat Jesus or even a heavy set Jesus. This, of course, is in contrast to the Asian image of a fat Buddah.

There is good reason to examine our prejudice regarding weight, but we also need to recognize the health costs, both mentally and physically, to inappropriate weight. And we should ask what this increase in weight among our clergy is saying about how they handle the stress and challenges of ministry.

On the positive side, the same report found that 21 percent of Presbyterian clergy are in formal weight-loss programs and 39 percent belong to fitness centers.

The full survey may be found at www.pcusa.olrg/research .

I know that some who read this blog are from other cultures. I wonder whether some of the same trends are occurring wherever you live.