For Pastor- and Staff-Parish Relations Committees (P/SPRCs) in the United Methodist Church (UMC), it’s the last but arguably highest duty listed in their job description: “To encourage, monitor, and support clergy and lay staff in the pursuit of health and wholeness.” But how do they—and other laity in the church—walk the talk?
If you’re reading this article, you’re on the right track. (Bonus points for forwarding it to your P/SPRC Chair or Lay Leader.)
Research on clergy well-being conducted by the Duke Clergy Health Initiative in 2023 identified that feeling “loved and cared for” by their congregants is strongly associated with better clergy mental health. In what can feel like a thankless and distressing world, laity can make a huge difference in the lives of their pastors. And when pastors flourish, their congregations and communities are more likely to flourish, too.
READ: Clergy Share Their Top Sources of Stress
That’s why we created the aptly titled Loved and Cared For, a resource that lays out the do’s and don’ts for P/SPRC’s and church leaders who want to express appreciation for their pastors in ways both creative and countercultural. (Think less bundt cakes and more support to take their vacation days.) However, we think these best practices can apply to supporting any church staff member in serving well.
Here’s a summary of our top advice: