Self-Care and Resilience in Ministry

Christian ministry is hard work and stressful at the best of times, even when it is a joy and blessing. Following in the way of Jesus necessarily involves suffering and sacrifice. Caring for God’s people is demanding and costly. Unresolved conflict can demotivate us. Criticisms can hurt. The challenge is to keep holy, healthy and maturing in the midst of the ups and downs of Christian ministry. A vibrant spiritual relationship with the living God is vital. We are to attend to our physical, emotional and mental health. Loving relationships with family and friends are crucial aspects of our being and well-being.

Yet these are the very things that we can let slip as we meet the demands of ministry, only for our enthusiasm for ministry to diminish, our energies for service to recede, and our emotional tanks to run on empty. The aim of this unit is to train and equip its participants to persevere in faithful Christian ministry, while continuing to grow in love for Christ, to mature in character, to pursue physical and mental health, and to enjoy close, loving relationships.