Step 3: What is Holy Healthy UMC?
Did you know that, according to a 2003 Pulpit and Pew survey, over 76% of Protestant ministers are either overweight or obese (compared to 61% of the general population)? Or that 40% of pastors indicate that they are at times depressed, or worn out “some or most of the time?” The reasons for this trend are debatable. The results, however, are frighteningly clear.
Two major studies found that Protestant clergy had the highest overall work-related stress of religious professionals, and (even more frighteningly), the highest death rates from heart disease of any occupation. Can this be God’s will for his servants?
In
an effort to combat these disturbing trends, and to improve the overall
health of Arkansas Methodists, the Arkansas UMC Conference has developed
“Holy Healthy UMC,” a health and wellness resource
that emphasizes health as a spiritual principle.
Holy Healthy UMC is designed to be a health resource for individuals,
clergy families and staff, and congregations. It defines the new Health
Initiative adopted by the Conference in 2006, and explores how the Initiative
affects each group. The program is then designed to help Arkansas Methodists
find the resources they need to improve their health and wellness, and to
build effective health ministries in their local church.
So are you ready to truly be a “new creature in Christ,” whole
and complete in every aspect? Are you ready to accept the Call to Health?
INSPIRATION CORNER
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good
health, just as your soul prospers."
(III John 2)
Click to read more on clergy health from Pulpit & Pew: The Duke Center
for Excellence in Ministry