I'm in reasonably good health and exercise fairly often. But because I'm facing a medical exam for Certification as a Candidate for the Ordained Ministry, I've given up foods that would boost my normally high cholesterol. My pastor has warned me that he knows of people who have been rejected from Candidacy because of poor health. I'm taking no chances.Is it fair to restrict from the ordained ministry those who are in poor health? If yes, what basic standards should be required?
10 comments:
John,
There are certain occupations such as driving a large commercial vehicle or flying airplanes that a physical exam can exclude a person from doing. (ie, diabetics) This is due to public safety concerns.
However, I don't see how being a pastor could be one of those. I would think that would be an EEO issue if a competent person were to be denied. I am much more concerned the spiritual health of the clergy.
Money. Health insurance. That's the issue for the institution.
I had a bishop tell me once that one reason the church isn't happy when military chaplains retire and return to the parish is that they haven't been paying health insurance premiums all these years.
Of course, my take on that is that the Army is providing my health care at no cost to the church and is keeping me healthier than the average parish pastor.
I am a pastor and am in decent health (not really any excercise and taking a couple of daily meds, but not really overweight and considered healty by reasonable standards).
I share that just so you know where I come from. I partially agree with m lewis. It is about money. In Mississippi we are self insured. Our insurance is payed through the budget and apportionments and now monthly premiums. A few years back we almost went bankrupt. The truth of the matter is that we have a great deal of older and overweight pastors in our conference. And even though I am not there yet, this can easily happen to me in the next few years.
There is also considerable stress in our job that most people don't fully understand. A lot of pastors work 60 hour weeks or more and take their jobs home with them.
But even though the money and insurance is the big reason that conferences are looking at our health, there is another problem here. When we preach to be holy, we should live by what we preach. And part of that is taking care of our bodies that are temples of God. (you can go to my blog to see my thought of the day and my definition of being holy).
This doesn't mean we'll be perfect. It means that we'll do what we can though. We do take the vows at ordination to strive to go on towards perfection.
In cleaning out my Mother's house I have found all kinds of little quips, quotes and interesting stories.
One I found had to do with a church's "search committee" (obviously wasn't a Methodist church!) Anyway, after quite a fruitless search, the chairman stood at one of their meetings to read what he said was a letter from a prospective pastor.
I can't remember all the story (I'll try to find it for anyone who wants it) but it said something to the effect of the pastor was older, but has quite a testimony as he was once strongly opposed to the church and had turned around and served faithfully.
He hadn't really served that long, and had never stayed in one place very long, either. And if he was to be honest, had to leave most places because of controversy of one sort or another.
He said that some accused him of being a little too "spiritual" as he sometimes had "caught up" experiences (as he called them) and even spoke in tongues.
He also said that it was true that he had been in prison, and he wasn't in very good health, but he loved the Lord and would serve Him faithfully.
And then he asked, "Do you thing there would be a place for me in your church?"
Of course the "search committee" hit the roof. How dare he think that he could come there with a background like that. Who did he think he was, anyway?
Then the committe chairman read the name on the letter: "The Apostle Paul."
Betty
While I'm sure insurance plays into this discussion, I would hope that there is something more here.
We've all heard the jokes about pastors working just one day a week. The truth is being a pastor is exhausting emotionally, spiritually, and physically. And since those are interconnected the health of a person in one area will be impact that person's health in the other two. This can result in a less than effective pastor. That's coming from one who has had struggles in all these areas and at times hasn't been very effective.
Presently, the meds I take run in excess of $5,000 per month and I will be on them for the rest of my life. I'm glad insurance isn't the only factor that comes into play. Then again I was already an elder when my illness was discovered.
It would be nice if pastors modeled "wholeness" in their lives. Exercise is a component of that. Taking care of yourself is also a component. Those figure into health. So do genes and the accidents of circumstances. Pastors that don't take care of themselves because they are too busy are eating their seed corn. Pay me now or pay me later.
Yeah, I think this is scriptural.
The Pharisees didn't ordain:
1) John the Baptist because he ate Locust and Honey;
2) Jesus because He ate in unhealthy ways with "sinners".
Maybe it is a good thing to not be "ordained" ... maybe I should surrender my certificate ... maybe not :)
How can you preach on self-denial when you are endulging in food? How can you say you live in the Kingdom of Heaven when you really live in the Kingdom of Wonka?
it's all in God's hands anyway -so hope the medical went well.
we are to take care of our bodies, so I think it's good that you do get a check up :)and try to care care of yourself spirtually and physically. I think many pastors, and lay leaders slip on this.
They end up overweight, doing too little exercise (because they don't schedule it in) work excessive hours and fail to delegate.
in europe we don't do insureance the same way as you Americans - we have public health and it's good enough for pastors and other people too - no premiums, but still we have check ups, and we too have problems with burn out. :(
REading through the comments I think it would be better to have more pastors - sharing responsibilites - most keeping within a 40 hour week (most of the time) and sharing the salary too. There's a real need to recognise gifts in teh congregations and encouarge their use. Again hard to do and I think the guilt factor kicks in "but I'm being paid to do this*
pastors who are worn out - are not able to lead a congregation spirtually. There is a need for lay leaders too - but I do believe that healthy practices such as prayer, fasting and moderation are called for- and not just for the pastor, but s/he does need to model it and encourage it for the congregation.
Not popular I know.
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