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TCN PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL FALL 2021
Is It Even Possible for Pastors to Practice Rest and Self-Care ?
by Carrington Moore
LIKE MANY ESSENTIAL WORKERS , PASTORS ARE PUSHED TO WORK VERY HARD FOR VERY LITTLE . IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT SO MANY OF US ARE TIRED .
If you have felt overwhelmed , overworked , underpaid or undervalued at your job , that is no accident . A chaotic everyday life – during the pandemic and even before – is a fundamental reality for most Americans .
How can we possibly manage a worklife balance with all that is going on in our daily lives ? Why does it all seem so impossible ?
Answer : Because maybe it is impossible .
Could it be that a work-life balance is an intentional mirage that has been placed out of our reach ? Could it be that a worklife balance is another quota or goal that is placed in our lives to make us feel less complete and never enough ? Could it be that a work-life balance is simply unattainable , reserved for only the privileged few ?
For so many , rest seems like a difficult ask during a pandemic . How can we rest while losing jobs and family members and at the same time grappling with the reality of a new normal ? Nonetheless , pastors long for rest – and need rest .
Self-care is a conscious practice of physical , mental and emotional health . “ All you need is a plan to take care of yourself ” sounds simple enough . The Hebrew Bible constantly reminds us to rest and to keep a Sabbath , yet that has become profoundly difficult .
During the pandemic , we have doubled down on preaching , teaching , proclaiming and articulating the importance of practicing self-care and rest . However , it often feels as though that is not actually enough . Why is it not working ? Are we doing something wrong ?
Answer : I do not think we are the problem .