Cultivating Community Care in Cross-Racial / Cross-Cultural Ministry
To sustain one’s life as a pastoral leader requires a vast array of support systems, both personal and communal, to show up faithfully and with intentionality as you serve across difference. Unfortunately, this can often be a challenge for many clergy serving in Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural appointments. Even with robust self-care rhythms, clergy can often find themselves lacking in communal self-care, feeling increasingly isolated, unsupported, and exhausted by the demands of ministry. While self-care rhythms are vital, a balance of both individual and communal supports are needed to sustainably support a life of service.
Research conducted on United Methodist Clergy shows that compared to the general United States population, UM clergy report statistically higher incidents of moderate to severe depression.[1] While the causes of the disparity are multifaceted, the longest running study on happiness suggests that the quality of our relationships and our ability to engage in community has the largest determinant on our overall wellbeing.[2]
While engaging in community can be complex for those living out their calling in itinerancy and across difference, consider the following suggestions:
Find your people. While every geographical area varies, taking intentional steps to find those whom you can be your most authentic self is necessary as you navigate the challenges and opportunities of ministry.
Take chances. It is often said that “perfect is the enemy of good,” in that our insistence on perfection, in this case in finding the perfect community, can cause us to not take the time to cultivate relationships locally. Building community takes time and vulnerability. We learn as we go.
Practice self-compassion. Putting ourselves out there, especially in a new or different context, can be taxing which, at times, can cause us to doubt ourselves or minimize our needs. Keep going! Your needs and your desires to sustain this holy work are valid. Practice self-compassion by taking deep breaths and honoring your emotions as you experience them.
Below are additional resource suggestions to build community care:
www.meetup.com (A website designed to find others with like-minded interests and hobbies in your local community)
www.udemy.com/courses/free (Udemy offers free and paid resources to help people develop skills. Learn a new skill or hobby as you build community with others)
www.findhelp.org (Find Help is a database of local resources, both emotional, and financial, to assist you in identifying resources in your area)
[1] Proeschold-Bell, Rae Jean, and Jason Byassee. Faithful and fractured: Responding to the clergy health crisis. Baker Books, 2018.37.
[2] Mineo, Liz. "Good genes are nice, but joy is better." The Harvard Gazette 11 (2017).