As ministers, it’s easy for our minds, souls, and bodies to become weary and burdened by concerns for the church. Therefore, we need continual and deliberate reminders to prioritize rest. We also need ongoing training on how to carry our ministry burdens sustainably—in other words, we are called not only to survive but to thrive in the ministry!
The ICOC Ministers Wellness Committee was formed for this purpose. We are a resource of encouragement and support, laser-focused on you as a paid minister. We are a group of evangelists, women’s ministry leaders, and counselors who understand the unique challenges of serving in the ministry. As of 2024, we are also now working in collaboration with the Elders Service Team.
To this end, the Ministers Wellness Committee provided quarterly webinars in 2024 (linked below) to come together, receive instruction, pray, and stay informed of research, resources, and events designed to this end. Dr. Gregg Marutzky shared information from his doctoral work on tutelary leadership in February. Dr. Jennifer Konzen taught May’s webinar about stewarding sexuality and how to maintain and minister in this age of rampant sexual dysfunction. In August, Guillermo Adame helped us order our financial houses by teaching us how to prepare for retirement (this webinar was purposefully not recorded due to legal restrictions). Finally, in November, Dr. Mike and Dr. Mary Shapiro discussed the principles of compassion fatigue, burnout, and habits needed to battle these everyday conditions that harm ministers.
If you would like to stay up to date with a monthly newsletter filled with resources and content custom-tailored to your ministry work, please visit https://www.eremosministry.org/ and subscribe to the email list. Stay tuned for a Ministers Wellness Survey at the end of this year and more encouraging, equipping, and strengthening webinars in 2025!
