Wednesday, September 11, 2013

When life changes...

     As a pastor with over thirty years experience I  have experienced many changes in moving , both good and bad. Recently, we moved to a new church and as a result of the move I had to take a fifteen thousand dollar cut in salary.When this happened it felt like a kick in the gut.  I felt angry and disappointed at the same time. I had difficulty trying to make sense of why this had happened to me.In many ways this move has felt punitive considering that my denominational supervisor did not have much to say about it nor did she show any concern or empathy about such a large cut in income. The congregation has also seemed  disconnected from me and my family, content to feel that everything is alright. In reflecting about the situation I keep asking myself , "What am I doing here?" In some ways this new church feels like a bad date in high school, I keep asking my self when will it end and how can I get out of this mess.
     I have a good friend whom I knew while serving in  U.S. Army during the 1980's .  He shared with me that in his denomination many
of the pastors were forced to take pay cuts  because the churches simply could not afford higher salaries and  membership was in decline. He believes that all the major denominations in the United States will be effected by an aging populations and the decline in people who join and attend churches. While no one wants to take a pay cut , it is a sign that our churches have reached a tipping point in regard to clergy support and declining attendance.
     For me it is annoying to know that it is not a shared or joint sacrifice with in our church system.While many of our pastors are having salaries cut, I have not seen  cuts at the general church level. What bothers me  is that pastors have limited options. We are not allowed to take on another job or seek ways to make up for lost income. If our spouses can't work then many are left feeling powerless and frustrated.
      I believe the best option for many pastors is and will be a  return to bi-vocational ministry. Please reference my article," Pastoral crisis or opportunity?"
      I know that this article may be seen by some as bitterness for having to take a cut in salary and perhaps some of that is true.Who Wouldn't!  I continue to struggle with my thoughts and wonder if there was something I could have done to prevent this situation. So far I have not come to an acceptable understanding.
     The forgotten truth in all of this is that many of our churches are declining and that without some kind of option or gateway to allow  bi-vocation ministry , clergy and the churches will suffer.
      While writing this article I am also keenly aware of the fact that laity have been dealing with this very same issue. May God in his mercy lead us to a place of understanding and release in order that we may find common ground and renewal .

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Mini-Course on Personal healing.Watch Video: part 1

Here is the mini-course on Personal Healing, This mini-course in based on chapter of the book, "A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Personal healing." Written by Dr. James G. Mackey  Part 1. There will be more video to come. thanks

Sunday, June 12, 2011

New and exciting mini-course is coming!

I hope you will be interested in a new mini-course on my book, " A practical and spiritual guide to personal healing". I have taught this book before but this is the first time I have offered a FREE mini-course online. This mini-course will be a video presentation via YouTube. I hope you will subscribe or bookmark this blog in order to view it and take notes. This mini-course will be in three parts or presentations. As in all of my classes many students have questions regarding their concerns or problems. I will be happy to address your questions by email. You can email your questions to through this blog site. I will post this mini-course this week. I hope you will be blessed and experience healing. thanks

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Reasons for Clergy leaving ministry

     A recent report provided by the General Board of Pensions of the United Methodist Church did a great job outlining problems with clergy in the church.While this study was carried out in the United Methodist Church, I feel that many of issues would apply to pastors in other denominations.  Just as a tree needs light, water, good soil, and the changes of seasons to live and grow, Pastors need time for rest, study, exercise, healthy relationships and time away to grow and live the abundant life Jesus promised. Listed below are some reasons why clergy in the UMC find it difficult to thrive and grow in their personal lives and ministry.This list is called thirteen health factors in clergy's lives.
  1. Personal Centeredness
  2. Eating habits with work that often involves food.
  3. work/life balance
  4. Job satisfaction
  5. Personal finances
  6. Outside interest and social life
  7. Relationship with congregation
  8. stressors in the appointment process or moving
  9. Martial and family satisfaction
  10. existial burdens of ministry
  11. Living authentically
  12. Education and preparation for ministry
  13. Appointment changes and relocation
     If you would be interested in reading the entire report, (67 pages) I would be happy to email as an attachment. It is an excellent report and is very insightful in regard to why clergy often face disappointment and leave the ministry. Please contact me via this blog  with my email and I will be happy to send the report. thanks for reading..  Jim

Friday, May 20, 2011

Why do Clergy have so many health problems?

     Last week I attended a clergy meeting within our district. We were able to say goodbye to a number of clergy members who were leaving the district in June  heading for another church and district. While we held the meeting our district superintendent shared information  that clergy in North Carolina had a higher rate of heart attacks and diabetes than the general population. I had to ask myself the question, Why? Perhaps it was the chronic stress that clergy deal with daily, or the fact that most clergy have  unhealthy lifestyles. By unhealthy lifestyles I mean that clergy often eat on the run (fast food ), do not take time for daily exercise, and spend long hours in meetings and church functions. This  limits the time needed for clergy to keep close relationship's with family and friends. This often  leaves clergy feeling guilty for trying to develop healthy relationships and lifestyles.
     One issues remains true, clergy need to develop and live before their congregations what it means to live healthy in mind, body and spirit. For too long clergy have been seen as semi-Divine not needing rest or taking time to develop better relationships. I believe the answer lies in finding a balance in what we do and who we are. Also learning to be happy with what we do and who we are as a human beings. Are you happy? Most of us are not, we simply put up with  situations we do not like, waiting for a time when we can retire or do something else. We delay our happiness and our well being hoping for a future which may never come. Please don't delay your happiness which you deserve now, instead find enjoyment and joy in living each day even if you don't do some ministerial task or function. It's alright to just sit and enjoy the sound of birds , or to go for a walk just because you want to. Remember God's grace and love are for clergy as well as laypersons. May it be said of all clergy that we took time for the important things of life (love,kindness,family and God) and that we also served as a minister. Live, love, laugh often and nurture a heart of kindness. Thank you God for our lives.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Pastoral crisis or opportunity?

     Being a pastor or person who serves others, is more difficult than it is has been in over a  hundred years. Reasons for this difficulty include the growth of secular society, financial turmoil in families and society, loss of faith among young people, and worldwide natural disasters. Then add to the list a downward slide in moralarity in society and the breakup of families combined with the loss of respect toward clergy, no wonder the ranks of ordained clergy are getting smaller each day. In fact, many clergy are simply leaving the ministry because they feel that what they are doing has  no impact on their congregations. Perhaps this is why traditional churches are losing members everyday and their once strong financial support is quickly disappearing.
     There is one suggestion I would offer to help pastors both financially and spiritually in the midst of our current problems. I believe a return to bi-vocational ministry could provide an answer for churches and pastors struggling to continue in ministry. St. Paul served as a tent maker to support and strengthen his ministry to gentiles in Asia minor. He did not want the new believers(gentiles) to think he was taking advantage of them by taking their money, instead he reminded them that he provided for his own support and needs. With such a large percentage of money in church budgets going for pastoral support, bi-vocational ministry might serve tp strengthen church budgets and members commitment by reminding them that the pastor is a co-laborer with them. Here are some benefits and negatives to bi-vocational ministry.

Benefits of bi-vocational ministry:
  1. It could offer clergy more control of their time and involvement in life of community.
  2. Could reduce cost to local churches for pastoral support and salaries.
  3. Could provide a vivid witness in the market place as clergy engage people  in the business world.
  4. Would help pastors to see their life and  ministry in balance with work and church time.
  5. Would allow clergy  the  possibilty to earn more than church salary could provide.Often low salaries in ministry  is a negative factor.
  6. Could provide a positive self image by providing a sense of self reliance.
  7. Would require greater involvement of lay persons in life and work of church.
Negatives regarding bi-vocational ministry:
  1. Clergy would have limited time to spend on administrative and pastoral functions of church.
  2. Limited time to visit church members and attend church  meetings .
  3. Risk of burnout if demands of the church and secular work are in conflict.
  4. Would require greater involvement of lay persons in life of church.
I personally believe that the future of ministry will involve clergy who live and work in communities with long term ministry in churches. This will be possible because clergy will not be completely dependent on a church salary for support, but can support themselves through a business or trade. I believe this could create a new understanding of church and provide greater satisfaction for clergy serving in a church..

Sunday, May 1, 2011

A time to reframe your life.

     For clergy and other helping professionals it is vital to have a healthy balance of taking care of others and all important self care.This self-care can often be filled with emotional land mines for many clergy in the form of guilt and a sense of neglect for the always endless needs of others. Much of this guilt is generated from an unrealistic expectation of always being on call for people at all times. Sometimes clergy can be their own worst enemy in that we often try to live out such an unhealthly expectation. We want to feel needed or we want to express a geniune concern for others, but soon we begin to feel traped by trying to be at the center of attention and  present  for every need. Even Jesus took time to get away from the growing crowds and their call for him to do something to prove his connection to God.
     If you are feeling pressure and stress because of days on the road , people needing your attention, and feeling like your to-do list will never end it may be time to reframe your life. What do I mean by reframing your life? Imagine a picture framed in a plain and simple frame. You walk by the picture each day and never seem to notice it or at least it doesn't impress you. But put a new frame around this picture, a frame which is larger and sparkles with gold paint and you can't help but notice and see the picture as if it were new. This can also happen when we reframe our lives and ministry with a larger purpose and new appreciation of God's love.Here are a few simple guidelines to help you reframe your life and ministry.
  • Take time to write a list of the activities and events you enjoy and feel affirmed. Also list those things which make you feel frustrated and angry or feeling like giving up.
  • When looking at the challenges in your life and ministry look for the hidden blessing or the opportunity for self enrichment and ridding yourself of feelings of guilt,anger, and resentment. 
  • Reframe your challenges by looking at them from a different perspective, instead of feeling anger, see the event as something that will strengthen your character, improve your skills, and help you become a stronger and better person.
  • The key to reframing it to "see a benefit for you" or a hidden gem of personal development which will pay off later. Perspective makes all the difference in changing your outlook and attitude. Learn to develop this simple skill and it will help you be less stressed and feel better about yourself and the ministry.