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December '24 Newsletter: Sleep and Vigorous Exercise Key to Well-Being
Hello!
Welcome to the Serve Well newsletter, a new collaborative resource from the Duke Clergy Health Initiative and Duke Religion and Social Change Lab. Every month, we'll be sharing trends in ministry formation and flourishing so that however you serve—seminarian, clergy, researcher, educator, or administrator—you can serve well.
The end of the year, with its gently darkening days, invites us into practices of reflection and renewal. This month we're sharing summary research to companion you.
Trends in Ministry Formation
Study Addresses Seminarian Well-Being and the Future of Theological Education
In 2019, we launched the Seminary to Early Ministry (SEM) Study out of a desire to support the well-being of faith leaders during some of their most formative years. As a result, the study is compiling the most comprehensive longitudinal dataset on theological education to date, enabling researchers and practitioners to better understand who attends seminaries, how seminaries form students, and how the training of future leaders can faithfully adapt to new realities.
Trends in Ministry Flourishing
Sleep and Vigorous Exercise Named as Key in State of Clergy Well-Being Report
Every two years, clergy members of the North Carolina and Western North Carolina United Methodist Conferences who are under current appointment or within five years of their retirement are invited to participate in the Statewide Clergy Health Survey. Now, you can read about top-level findings from the latest survey in a new report called The State of Clergy Well-Being. While many health measures remained stable, two key areas were identified for improvement: sleep and vigorous exercise. Attending to either in the new year can yield large benefits for clergy's physical and mental well-being.
Your Serve Well Resource
Self-Care Tips for the Body & Soul
Does anyone else need a reminder to go slow and take care? Our team has been trading emails about resources we're drawing on to remain present amidst the year-end pace. One of those resources is a list of Self-Care Tips for the Body & Soul from Duke’s Personal Assistance Service. Use it to remind yourself or others about the importance of creating joyful rituals, fighting for your self-esteem, and, our favorite, not overthinking.
About Us
The Duke Clergy & Religion Research Collaborative (CRRC) is a partnership between the Duke Clergy Health Initiative (CHI) and Duke Religion and Social Change Lab (RaSCL). CHI focuses on providing pastors with tools to improve their physical, emotional, and spiritual health, while RaSCL focuses on helping current and future faith leaders adapt to evolving times. Together, we serve those who want to serve well. Our work is made possible thanks to the generous time of our research participants and generous funding from The Duke Endowment. To stay informed of our latest research in ministry formation and flourishing, sign up to get our monthly Serve Well newsletter directly in your inbox.