As she\u2019s coached leaders all over North America and the United Kingdom, several themes have emerged over this last year, according to Rev. Beth Estock:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A sense of exhaustion and ensuing shame when meeting the edges of their capacities<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anxiety over their church\u2019s future<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More conflict and mistrust among church leaders and members<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clergy leaders and key volunteers looking for an exit out of ministry<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Estock, a clergy coach and consultant who is an ordained elder in the Oregon-Idaho Conference of the UMC, is offering a new class \u201cLeading with Renewed Energy and Joy\u201d to help leaders like the ones described above thrive in uncertain times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow can we lead in a way that brings healing in an agitated world when we ourselves are stressed out?,\u201d Estock said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her January 3 seminar is open for enrollment for $125 through December 7. The price increases to $250 after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Estock said that with the never-ending unknowns of this pandemic, clergy have moved beyond their normal capacities to recover from stress. As a result, their nervous systems are in survival mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs human beings we detect signals of safety or danger from those around us,\u201d Estock said. \u201cIf we enter an environment where everyone is angry or fearful, we\u2019re more likely to join that state as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone knows the gold standard of leadership is to be a non-anxious presence, but in a pandemic, it is exhausting trying to swim against the riptide of survival, Estock said. Clergy have a deep need for rest, grieving, incubation, and silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo wonder we are on the edge of burnout,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n