The Revd Will Van Der Hart on Clergy wellbeing – Resourcing Emotionally
Healthy Leadership
It was really interesting to hear Will, who has had his own
struggles with mental health, speak on this subject. Some jottings:
Too often we chase our idea of “success” in Christian
leadership. We can be goal driven. But there is always a new goal! We can seek
approval and our idea of self / identity / purpose based on how our performance
is perceived.
We may speak a lot about “vision” but maybe we are very goal
oriented.
In Christian ministry, our ambition can be hidden or
spiritualised, but what are we really seeking and why?
We can want to be a Superhero / Fixer / Saviour / Messiah.
But a better kind of success is likely to come from security
– not if we seek security through success. If we are secure, we are more likely
to be able to take risks which might lead to success.
How can we be real, honest and present with ourselves so
that we are leading without delusions?
What might good leadership looking post-Christendom,
post-Covid, in difficult financial times, if we face lean years / famine?
Most of those who die on Everest die on the way down! “Success”
can bring its dangers.
Cf. Transfiguration – you can’t live on the mountain top all
the time, you have to come down and face the world with its problems.
Success can be stressful. “Suc-stress” – how do I keep all
this going, growing, bigger and better? Success tends to lead to more responsibility,
which leads to greater extension, causing you to be over stretched and
stressed. Learn to stop and think and pray and perhaps say no to some good
things, perhaps many.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs (Google!) – Highest Level 5 –
self-actualisation – meta-motivations – we are drawn towards something higher,
altruism, love – fullness in Jesus Christ, we would call it
How do we find value and purpose in everything rather than
just in achieving goals?
Opportunities won’t dry up. There will always be ways to
serve. Is this the right opportunity for you now?
You can never be perfectly affirmed until heaven! Your good
works will never affirm you. People are competitive and they won’t like it is
you do a great job and win! True and perfect affirmation is only in Christ.
Some people will never like you! You are wasting your time seeking their approval.
It hurts when people are hurtful but it is fruitless to chase some people
celebrating you.
To do lists have a habit of getting longer. Don’t be tyrannised
by your to do list and don’t depend on ticking off jobs to prove yourself.
There is always a crisis in which you can be the Saviour! We
can have / create mini-crises! You don’t always have to be immediately responsive
to every supposed emergency! What is God calling you to?
You can unlock your own disciplines. No one else (e.g. the C
of E or the diocese or the wardens or the PCC or…) is going to solve this for you.
What could you do to build resilience for the long haul? What could you put in
place?
A good tree will inevitably produce good fruit (Matthew
7v17). The fruit takes care of itself. Pray that you might be a good tree,
abiding in Christ, given life by him. Don’t try to be a cannabis factory under
fake lights etc. pushing for excessive and untimely fruit. There may be seasons
of more or less fruitfulness. Rest. Trust. Good fruit is part of your ministry;
it is not your driving purpose.
Take a step. Turn round. Give thanks. Repeat!
See further: https://www.willvanderhart.com/
https://www.mindandsoulfoundation.org/Articles/542162/Mind_and_Soul/About_Us/Revd_Will_Van.aspx
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment