To help pastors in the ongoing stresses of ministry at this time, having a safe place to talk about what is happening is vital for pastoral well being. The Church Leadership Institute says that pastors should be working with some combination of leadership coach, spiritual director, and therapist. The PSWD Ministry Commission has approved a plan to provide every pastor up to $1000 to support her or him in taking advantage of this kind of support. These are funds to help pay for coaching, spiritual direction, or seeing a therapist.

To receive this support the pastor simply needs to complete this application form. An initial check for $500 will be sent to the pastor directly for use in paying for a coach, a spiritual director, and/or a therapist. To receive the second allotment of $500 the minister must send in receipts showing that the money has been used for the intended purposes. The name of the coach, director, or therapist may be blacked out for privacy, but the district needs documentation that the money given provided reimbursement of actual expenses for the stated purpose.

If a pastor is currently seeing someone in one of the designated areas, a portion of the funds can be used to continue that relationship. The Ministry Commission does want to encourage pastors to try one or more of these areas of support during this time to see which relationships will be of the most support to them. Information on finding a leadership coach, a spiritual director, or a therapist has been provided to pastors. Contact the district office if you need these sent again, or if you have questions.