Feel like you’re being selfish if you say “No” to a congregational request? Too often we think being a good Christian means putting loving others before loving ourselves. We become door mats for Christ. But Jesus commands us to love ourselves fully, to be able to love others fully. “Love others as well as you love yourself.” Mark 12:30 The Message When it comes to responding to requests, I think Jesus calls us to respond in a way that honors ourselves AND honors others. It’s a kind of spiritual integrity,...

Three years ago, the Eastern PA Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits took a chance. They agreed to partner on an outside grant funding project with Artos Retreats, a tiny new organization dedicated to improving the well-being of clergy spouses. That first step of faith has led to sponsoring multiple programs and coaching for clergy spouses in our conference.  CLICK HERE to continue reading....

[vc_row full_screen_section_height="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] “Come, all you who are weary and heavy burdened,” Jesus Christ tenderly invites us, “and I will give you rest.”( Matthew 11:28) Ten Eastern PA Conference clergy spouses heeded a similar invitation in November 2016, when they gathered to enjoy a full-day Sabbath retreat designed just for them. Read complete article at epaumc.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

Over 100 EPA pastors and congregations have celebrated their first Sunday worship in an exciting new journey of faith and discipleship together. So, how can clergy spouses and families navigate their parallel journeys in a healthy way? A new Artos Retreats workshop, Healthy Transitions for Clergy Spouses, addresses this question with, according to one recent participant, “useful and practical info that can be implemented right now – all good!” Read complete article at epaumc.org.  ...

Did you know that male clergy spouses experience gender bias? When meeting pastor and spouse for the first time, it’s common for congregation members to assume that the male is the pastor. It occurs even during new pastoral appointment take-in interviews. While gender bias happens to both male and female clergy spouses, some dynamics are specific to men in that role, as several revealed in a recent focus group sponsored by the Eastern PA Conference.   Read complete article at epaumc.org....