Pastors need care too
Ministry offers mental health care for leaders
leaders in the Church – whether clergy, pastors or ministers – are used to bearing the weight of their flock along with the pain that comes with life’s struggles. But when faced with mental health challenges of their own, many may not know how to best take care of themselves.
Addressing the mental health needs of church leaders, Agora Network Ministries (www.AgoraNetworkMinistries.com), based in St. Catharines, Ont., connects pastors in crisis with counsellors, resources, coaching and support. “We help them make the right connections for themselves,” says Allen Kleine Deters, pastor care co-ordinator. “With some of the Zoom meetings and online events we’ve had, we’ve discovered pastors who are in crisis or close to being in crisis that we reach out to.”
Since 2018 the organization has responded to a growing need for mental and spiritual health concerns in the Church, helping sufferers find hope and restoration. That need has only grown because of Covid-19. “What’s come to light during this pandemic is that when regular rhythms for church are disrupted, pastors are finding themselves confronted with themselves – things they’ve been able to keep behind closed doors,” he says. “Because of the stigma of it all, many are afraid they could lose their jobs if people find out.” Marital breakdown, depression, anxiety, and most of all burnout are a few issues that have currently come to light in conversation with leaders.
Kleine Deters experienced his own ministry-related trauma two years ago. As an ordained pastor who served in full-time ministry for 34 years, he found himself in a dark place. “Not only was I struggling with cancer, but a broken marriage and clinical depression which all led to my leaving ministry and leaving a young church plant to fend for itself,” he says on the ministry website. Feeling depressed and isolated Kleine Deters wanted to end it all to be with Jesus. After much weeping, crying out and “clinging to his faith,” God brought people to walk alongside him to support him out of his turmoil.
“Sharing my story has helped a lot of pastors open up,” he says. “Pastors are not always well cared for, but if we can come alongside and help, we’re happy to do it.”