Seven suicides!
What would you say if I told you that South Carolina Baptists lead the Southern Baptist Convention in both forced terminations of pastors and suicides committed by pastors?
Seven Baptist pastors in our state committed suicide in the past seven years. Others considered it. No other state convention experienced this rate of suicide. Additionally 79 Baptist pastors in our state suffered forced termination in one year.
Our state convention has a committee researching the causes contributing to “negative health among pastors” and what ministries might aid them. Recommendations are to be presented to the Executive Board in April 2013.
Scott Vaughan is writing an article for the convention on sabbaticals for pastors in an effort to inform church leaders about the need for pastors to have time away from the stress of ministry.
A sabbatical is time away in addition to vacation usually lasting one to three months given to pastors by churches every five to ten years for study and renewal.
Scott interviewed me for the article because he heard that I take July off each year.
My situation is a little different than the average pastor. Our church is larger than most and I’ve been here 25 years. The church provides me a generous amount of annual vacation and for the past five years I’ve used four of those weeks back to back in July for an extended time of rest and vacation.
I don’t get a sabbatical, but my vacation and study retreats have served a similar purpose. The emotional rest and spiritual renewal I experience as a result are one of my greatest blessings. I’m thankful for the opportunity FBC provides me to do this and I know I’m better for it.
Please join me in praying for the churches and pastors in our state. Far too many churches are in conflict or don’t know how to lovingly support their pastor. Far too many pastors are struggling. None of this pleases God and His kingdom suffers as a result.
Also pray for the families of these pastors. When the pastor suffers, the family often suffers even more. Jimmy Epting, President of North Greenville University, was a Pastor’s kid. His dad served in Rock Hill and Jimmy attended Rock Hill High School. He shared with the Executive Board his childhood memories of his father “being the agenda” during church business meetings. Can you imagine the impact that has on a child?
In closing let me add that several churches and pastors in our area have experience major problems in recent months. None of those churches are growing and Jesus’ name has not been honored.
Let’s pray that 2013 will better.
Pastor Steve Hogg
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