Support for Religious Leaders

Burn-out among those providing leadership in faith communities is increasingly recognized as a critical issue for congregational health. The ability of the pastor, rabbi, imam or priest to continue to attend to the needs of the congregants is contingent on his/her own health. Advocate Health Care has several approaches for supporting the wholistic health needs of religious leaders. These include periodically scheduled retreats, a support and reflection group that meets in eight week sessions, opportunities in Clinical Pastoral Education, and health promotion programs.

Retreats for Pastors and Religious Leaders
Retreats for pastors and religious leaders are scheduled periodically throughout the year. They are staffed by Advocate chaplains, counselors, parish nurses and Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisors. Topics vary according to the leadership and to the needs expressed by the participants.

Click here for information about the next scheduled retreat.

Discernment Group
The Counseling Center at Lutheran General Hospital offers a discernment group for pastors. These seven week sessions focus on maintaining a balance in personal and professional lives, staying mentally and emotionally healthy and developing an authentic spirituality. Participants read The Journey from Misery to Ministry by Francis Dorff, adopt a spiritual discipline of reflective listening for the period of the group and participate fully in the conversations.

Click here for information about the next scheduled group.

The Family Care Network of Advocate Health Care provides group programs for clergy by request.

Contact an ACM staff member at kirsten.peachey@advocatehealth.com about arranging for a program with Family Care Network.

Clinical Pastoral Education
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an intensive experiential educational program for pastors and religious leaders interested in developing their clinical skills. The student engages in pastoral work and reflects on their experience with a trained supervisor and a peer group. Key areas for learning include integrating theology into pastoral practice, formation as a religious leader, and self-reflection and knowledge. CPE can be an excellent tool for discernment, self-care and renewal.

Advocate has numerous CPE programs throughout the Chicagoland area, including a congregation-based program. All programs are open to people of any religious background and to both lay and ordained religious workers.

Click here for more detailed information about CPE programs at Advocate.

Health Promotion Programs
Periodically Advocate Community Ministry plans health assessment events for pastors. These assessments include a complete lab work-up, a health risk inventory and health values assessment. Each pastor receives a report detailing his/her results and a personal health record notebook in which they can keep all their results and other medical information. They also participate in educational programs that address areas of health that may need improvement. There is a fee for this program.

Click here to contact ACM staff regarding this program.