Book study of ‘From Weary to Wholehearted’ addresses clergy burnout

By Richard Wehrle and Tabitha H. Rudy

Part-time Pastor; Full-Time Church is beginning a book study of From Weary to Wholehearted: A Restorative Resource for Overcoming Clergy Burnout by Callie Swanlund.

The online study sessions begin May 15 and continue each Wednesday through June 26, facilitated by Richard Wehrle, program manager of Thriving in Ministry for the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office.

It is no secret that many of our pastors in the Church of the Brethren are suffering the effects of burnout.

This reality is amplified by the many pastors who also work outside of the congregation for various reasons, including the need for additional income and benefits for them and their families. Part-time and multi-vocational pastors (MVPs) account for just over 75 percent of the pastoral leadership in our denomination. This has been an ongoing cultural shift in our churches for many years and it is one that will likely continue in the future. Offering viable resources to our MVPs is vital to sustaining the health of both pastors and congregations. Ministry needs do not change for those who are called to serve congregations on a less than full-time basis. Often the leaders of these congregations are deprived of the time and energy to focus on caring for themselves as they minister to those in their community.

The book From Weary to Wholehearted does not claim to have the answers to the many questions our MVPs face, but it can be a valuable companion to encourage MVPs to establish healthy peer relationships and engage in healthy spiritual and emotional practices–two of the core pieces that our program offers.

Author Callie Swanlund is a retreat leader, spiritual companion/ministry coach, and writer who helps others know their belovedness and find their spark. She leads individuals and groups in the work of Brené Brown as a “Certified Daring Way Facilitator.” Her film, How2charist: Digital Instructed Eucharist, has reached Christians and curious individuals around the world. Find out more at www.callieswanlund.com.

Swanlund will be in attendance for the first session on May 15 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. (Eastern time). Subsequent sessions take place each Wednesday from 8 to 9 p.m. (Eastern time). The online study wraps up June 26, in advance of Annual Conference.

At the Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich., Part-time Pastor; Full-Time Church will sponsor a hybrid equipping session led by Swanlund on July 4 at 8 p.m. (Eastern time), and a dinner event on July 6 featuring Swanlund as speaker on the topic “Kinship and Pork Chops.”

We invite our MVPs to take part in this book study as we address how to combat the effects of burnout, and how we can join together to support one another in our common calling. We hope that you will be able to attend one or all of these inspiring events as we gather online and in person in the coming weeks.

Register by May 12 at https://forms.gle/VrzqesrH8FWEB5Qc6. For questions about the book study contact Richard Wehrle at rwehrle@brethren.org. For questions about registration and logistics contact Tabitha Rudy at adminptpftc@brethren.org.

— Richard Wehrle is program manager of Thriving in Ministry for the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office. Tabitha H. Rudy is administrative assistant for Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church, a project within the Thriving in Ministry program.

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