Burnout is a professional hazard among men and women of the cloth. Pastors, priests and rabbis, so adept at nurturing others, often fail miserably when it comes to caring for themselves.
A Duke University literature review study found that many clergy wrestle with occupational stress, hypertension, obesity, exhaustion and feelings of isolation. While most said they found their work satisfying, they also described long, irregular hours and work-related stress that sometimes spilled over to their marital life.
Some congregations, such as Pendleton’s First Christian Church, are working to head off burnout. Worshipers soon will wish their Pastor Marc Mullins a firm farewell as he leaves on a 14-week sabbatical funded by the Eli Lilly Foundation.
Mullins admits to exhilaration as the sabbatical approaches. After 32 years in the ministry, he knows the exhaustion of tending the needs of an active church virtually 24/7. The sabbatical, at a cost of $48,000, will allow him to relax as he explores his Irish roots and broadens himself as a musician and songwriter.
Carrying a travel guitar with a folding neck, Mullins will board a plane bound for Ireland where he will jam with Irish musicians and get his fill of Celtic music. Mullins, a songwriter and singer, plans to write music as he is inspired.
Also on the agenda is visiting home towns of his ancestors and staying in bed-and-breakfast establishments along the way. One Irish B&B owner, a professional chef, will give Mullins lessons on candy and pastry making.
Mullins’ wife, Wendy, will join him for the next two legs of the trip in England and Scotland. The couple will play tourist, while engaging in the three R’s — rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. In Scotland, they’ll see Loch Ness and visit the Isle of Mull, the breeding ground of thousands of colorful seabirds called puffins. In England, they will tour London and stay at a castle in northern England owned by their son-in-law’s family.
Back in the states, Mullins is scheduled to attend a Christian music event in Nashville sponsored by the Gospel Music Association. “Immerse” is four days of competition, training and concerts for Christian artists, songwriters and worship leaders.
Back in Pendleton, Mullins will use the remaining seven weeks to write and record music in his home studio using laptop, software, microphone and studio monitors provided by the Eli Lilly Foundation.
“I’ve got a lot of music within me,” Mullins said. “I want to get it out there and bless other people.”
He also plans to spend plenty of time in prayer and study. His music, Mullins said, generally flows from scripture.
While the pastor entertained the idea of a sabbatical in the back of his mind for years, it took prodding from church member Lynn Tompkins to actually make it happen.
It all started a couple of years ago. When Tompkins asked if he’d ever considered a sabbatical, Mullins answered honestly in the affirmative.
Tompkins researched grant opportunities and soon was back with the 32-page Eli Lilly Foundation application. The documentation looked daunting. The duo would have to come up with a plan, create a task force and win board and congregational approval. To Mullins’ dubious expression, Tompkins responded with a laugh and a pep talk.
“She said, ‘Marc, we can do this — I’ll be right there behind you,’” he recalled her saying. “We made quick work of something that takes most congregations six months or more. In four months, it all came together.”
The congregation offered overwhelming approval, something that warmed Mullins’ heart. This first time around, however, the foundation didn’t offer a grant. The next year, a tweaked application brought results. The grant funds an interim pastor to fill in for Mullins while he is away.
Tompkins couldn’t be happier.
“It’s an intense job,” she said. “After 30-plus years, he needs some downtime.”
Mullins plans to blog during his sabbatical and share his songs on YouTube. This fall, he will present his music during a community concert at the Little Vert.
A Duke University literature review study found that many clergy wrestle with occupational stress, hypertension, obesity, exhaustion and feelings of isolation. While most said they found their work satisfying, they also described long, irregular hours and work-related stress that sometimes spilled over to their marital life.
Some congregations, such as Pendleton’s First Christian Church, are working to head off burnout. Worshipers soon will wish their Pastor Marc Mullins a firm farewell as he leaves on a 14-week sabbatical funded by the Eli Lilly Foundation.
Mullins admits to exhilaration as the sabbatical approaches. After 32 years in the ministry, he knows the exhaustion of tending the needs of an active church virtually 24/7. The sabbatical, at a cost of $48,000, will allow him to relax as he explores his Irish roots and broadens himself as a musician and songwriter.
Carrying a travel guitar with a folding neck, Mullins will board a plane bound for Ireland where he will jam with Irish musicians and get his fill of Celtic music. Mullins, a songwriter and singer, plans to write music as he is inspired.
Also on the agenda is visiting home towns of his ancestors and staying in bed-and-breakfast establishments along the way. One Irish B&B owner, a professional chef, will give Mullins lessons on candy and pastry making.
Mullins’ wife, Wendy, will join him for the next two legs of the trip in England and Scotland. The couple will play tourist, while engaging in the three R’s — rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. In Scotland, they’ll see Loch Ness and visit the Isle of Mull, the breeding ground of thousands of colorful seabirds called puffins. In England, they will tour London and stay at a castle in northern England owned by their son-in-law’s family.
Back in the states, Mullins is scheduled to attend a Christian music event in Nashville sponsored by the Gospel Music Association. “Immerse” is four days of competition, training and concerts for Christian artists, songwriters and worship leaders.
Back in Pendleton, Mullins will use the remaining seven weeks to write and record music in his home studio using laptop, software, microphone and studio monitors provided by the Eli Lilly Foundation.
“I’ve got a lot of music within me,” Mullins said. “I want to get it out there and bless other people.”
While the pastor entertained the idea of a sabbatical in the back of his mind for years, it took prodding from church member Lynn Tompkins to actually make it happen.
It all started a couple of years ago. When Tompkins asked if he’d ever considered a sabbatical, Mullins answered honestly in the affirmative.
Tompkins researched grant opportunities and soon was back with the 32-page Eli Lilly Foundation application. The documentation looked daunting. The duo would have to come up with a plan, create a task force and win board and congregational approval. To Mullins’ dubious expression, Tompkins responded with a laugh and a pep talk.
“She said, ‘Marc, we can do this — I’ll be right there behind you,’” he recalled her saying. “We made quick work of something that takes most congregations six months or more. In four months, it all came together.”
The congregation offered overwhelming approval, something that warmed Mullins’ heart. This first time around, however, the foundation didn’t offer a grant. The next year, a tweaked application brought results. The grant funds an interim pastor to fill in for Mullins while he is away.
Tompkins couldn’t be happier.
“It’s an intense job,” she said. “After 30-plus years, he needs some downtime.”
Mullins plans to blog during his sabbatical and share his songs on YouTube. This fall, he will present his music during a community concert at the Little Vert.
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