Study finds that self-compassion helps prevent clergy burnout
(Photo by Jack Sharp/Unsplash)
Pastor, love thyself.
In a demanding profession where one study found nearly two in five clergy were experiencing significant levels of emotional exhaustion, a recent study found that having a gentle attitude of self-regard may help clergy have greater life satisfaction and be more likely to be inspired and enthusiastic—rather than upset and guilty—about their ministry.
Exploring self-regard in ministry among 200 United Methodist pastors in Indiana, researchers from Fuller Theological Seminary analyzed data collected for the Flourishing in Ministry Project at the University of Notre Dame. The Fuller study measured several factors, from self-compassion and social support to clergy demands and burnout.
