Fully Alive: How to Practice a Flourishing Ministry

The glory of God is a human fully alive. – Irenaeus

The second-century Church father, Irenaeus, would say a flourishing life is one that abides in God. Throughout the history of the Church, this is how Christians have talked about being well. When we are well, God is delighted, inspired, glorified.

Since 2007, the Duke Clergy Health Initiative has assessed and worked to improve the health and well-being of United Methodist Clergy (UMC) in North Carolina. We know that clergy face challenges to their physical health, such as obesity and high cholesterol. We also know that clergy experience mental distress in the forms of depression, anxiety, and burnout. But a discussion of well-being isn’t complete if we’re only looking at disease. 

We want to explore the basics with you of what it actually means to be well – physically, mentally, and spiritually – by highlighting our Fully Alive Resource. 

Flourishing is a way of life, really. And better understanding this way of life can help us spot it, cultivate it, and celebrate it – not only in our own lives but in the fully alive leaders we hope to form along the way.  

As you define, assess, and practice what a flourishing ministry looks like for you, know that you’re not alone in the trying.