Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
The pandemic has placed a heavy burden on pastors and church leaders, who often neglect their own mental health and physical health while focusing on their congregations. During the past year, several high-profile pastors have even committed suicide.
ChurchCommunications.com is partnering with Medi-Share to offer a free virtual mental health summit for church leaders on Friday and Saturday this week. The online event aims to increase awareness and education about mental health concerns in the personal lives of leaders, and the increasingly felt need found across communities during this pandemic time period.
A recent Barna research study on pastors’ mental and emotional well-being showed a ninefold increase in pastors reporting their own mental health as “below average.” Other research shows that 31 percent of pastors admit to struggling with their emotional well-being, and 64 percent say they are “somewhat” equipped to help their congregation’s mental health.
Session talks will cover self-care for ministry leaders and how to care for oneself while caring for a congregation and community on day 1 of the two-day event.
Day 2 on May 22 will offer sessions about how to address and support congregations and communities dealing with mental health concerns. This event will feature more than 30 speakers who are qualified mental health professionals, church leaders and non-clinical professionals such as:
- Kay Warren
- Carey Nieuwhof
- Jon Acuff
- Dr. Crystal Collier
- Carlos Wittaker
- William Vanderbloemen
ChurchCommunications.com is partnering with Medi-Share and several other organizations to be able to offer this event completely free to pastors, church staff and church volunteers. Attendees can register for a free ticket by visiting www.ThriveandCultivate.com.
Thrive & Cultivate is designed for ministry leaders who align with the current state of the church to bring them new perspective, support and a new strategy to implement in their life, ministry and community.
The full schedule and event details are available at www.ThriveandCultivate.com.
Multiple organizations have given support on this critical issue including Abide Bible & Sleep Mediation App, Steve Austin:FplusMH.com and CDF Capital.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
