Clergy Health Initiative
“The love of God, as it is the sovereign remedy of all miseries, so in particular it effectually prevents all the bodily disorders the passions introduce, by keeping the passions themselves within due bounds. And by the unspeakable joy, and perfect calm, serenity and tranquility it gives the mind, it becomes the most powerful means of health and long life.” — John Wesley
The Clergy Health Initiative’s definition of health is wholeness of body, mind and spirit. In July 2007, The Duke Endowment generously funded our seven-year program intended to improve the health of 1,600 North Carolina United Methodist pastors serving full time as elders or local pastors.
Our Partners
The program’s working partners are Duke Divinity School, The Duke Endowment and the North Carolina and Western North Carolina Conferences of the United Methodist Church.
Leadership Education at Duke Divinity brings together in one initiative the school’s non-degree programs and scholarship on leadership development, pastoral excellence, clergy health, rural ministry, Hispanic ministry, youth formation, reconciliation and end-of-life care. This work builds on the strengths of the Divinity School and engages multiple disciplines, from business to the arts.
Our Vision
To develop a resilient, well-informed cadre of United Methodist pastors as skilled in the care of themselves and their families as they are in the care of their congregations.
Pilot Program
In June 2009, the Clergy Health Initiative will begin a pilot-test program that offers a customizable wellness plan for individual pastors. To this end, we have recruited and trained certified health coaches who have experience working with clergy.
Participation requires physical examinations, lab work, and willingness to be a part of the research project for 7 to 12 months. Grants that relate to physical, emotional, and spiritual health development are available to all participants.
Educational Events
The Clergy Health Initiative offers continuing education events on health to Methodist clergy statewide.
Research
In 2008, the Clergy Health Initiative completed a statewide survey of all Methodist clergy in North Carolina. It was designed to measure physical, mental, spiritual, and vocational health. The program plans to release it research results in academic publications and to the public at large by late 2009.
For more information, or to make suggestions, contact:
Robin Swift, MPH
Director, Clergy Health Initiative
Duke Divinity School at American Tobacco Campus
312 Blackwell Street, Suite 101 - Noell Building
Durham, NC 27701