Church Systems Task Force on Clergy Health Jointly Convened by GBPHB and GBHEM

Evanston, IL—The 17-member Church Systems Task Force (CSTF), jointly convened by theGeneral Board of Pension and Health Benefits (GBPHB) and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), met in Jacksonville, FL, January 28-29, beginning their General Conference 2008 charge to study the impact of UMC employment systems and culture on clergy health.

Bishop Hope Morgan Ward of the Mississippi Annual Conference serves as chair of this initiative, which focuses on health as wholeness across the denomination. and the effect systems have on the health of clergy by reviewing the employment systems and structures of the Church and their impact on clergy health, and to bring recommendations if needed to General Conference 2012.

“This task force will examine ways in which the Church systems contribute to the physical, emotional, spiritual, social and financial health of clergy as they enter and progress in ministry,” commented Bishop Ward. “We are interested in the effects our Church systems have on the health and wellness of the individual clergyperson, the related impact on local churches and, consequently, the broader health implications experienced across the connection.”

GBHEM General Secretary Jerome Del Pino also noted, “The work of this task force comes at a pivotal moment in the life of our Church when we are focusing our attention on leadership, new church starts and revitalization of congregations, poverty and global health. What is learned in the work of the task force regarding clergy health will help us move forward in achieving the goals we have set for each of the four focus areas.”

The task force will employ a rigorous research approach to examine:
• itineracy and appointment-making systems;
• supervisory systems;
• processes for entering and exiting ordained and licensed ministry;
• transitioning clergy into ministry (acclimation process);
• prevalence of health risk factors, health conditions and disability as they relate to employment situational variables; and
• key vocational factors influencing clergy health.

Center for Health
The Church Systems Task Force is one of the initiatives of the Center for Health, under the auspices of the GBPHB, which began last year as the result of the Denominational Health Task Force research and General Conference 2008 legislation.

This important work will help determine interventions to support clergy health needs and to provide specific guidelines for sustaining a healthy work/life balance.