Health Hazards of the Lord’s Work
Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen.
See the full article on the toll of the Lord’s work.
I wonder if members of the clergy don’t feel increasingly marginalized with each coming year. Religion plays much less of a role in society than in decades past. The people that do attend church regularly often expected to be entertained — meaning clergy often train for one job (to save souls and enrich their members’ spiritual life) only to find out they are expected to perform another role (entertain members and build social networks). The competition for members’ attention and disposable income is fierce – restaurants, satellite TV, golf courses, new age gurus, mega-churches peddling prosperity dogma. For many the pay is often low. I read an article recently that suggested a growing number of preachers and clergy begin to question the existence of God over time and are essentially agnostics!
I always thought the clergy had cushy jobs. what gives?
Bruce, you probably think being a clergyman is like Friar Tuck, sleeping under a tree after eating a leg of mutton.
When is the last time you were in church?
Since the clergy are “doing god’s work” you would think god would keep them healthier.
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/Non-Believing-Clergy.pdf
It’s an interesting little essay about how preachers sometimes lose their faith, but since they have no other formal career training, they’re stuck.
Here’s a little known fact: most preachers lose their faith in divinity school.
Guilt creates stress.
And since when are preachers doing the Lord’s work? Collecting money from blue haired old ladies in church is not the Lord’s work. And where can I get his number; I have some major complaints to file…