In its ongoing efforts to provide material, emotional, and spiritual support to pastors and ministry leaders, Geneva Benefits Group (GBG) has added to its resources and staff for handling ministerial wellbeing.
New Sabbatical Guidelines
A GBG spokesperson noted that it’s difficult for pastors to find time and space to disconnect from the demands of vocational ministry. There’s always another member who needs to be visited, another person who needs prayer, another staff member who needs encouragement.
Many pastors defer rest, thinking of it as expendable, but they should instead think of rest as essential to their ability to serve others well. GBG considers rest a key component of ministerial resilience, and it is helping pastors prioritize seasons of rest.
Beyond a weekly day of rest, a season of rest can be an effective way to replenish the resources needed for pastoral ministry. A sabbatical is one way a pastor can temporarily set aside his duties in order to replenish his physical, emotional, and spiritual strength.
GBG has collected insights from across the PCA, researched sabbatical planning, and created a useful resource on pastoral sabbaticals. The sabbatical checklist and sabbatical white paper will help pastors identify the practical issues to consider before going on sabbatical (or giving one to a staff member). The guidelines and information will help pastors communicate clearly with their sessions and congregations.
Paul Joiner Named Director of Ministerial Wellbeing
GBG is also expanding its commitment to pastoral wellbeing with the addition of its first director of ministerial wellbeing. Paul Joiner joined GBG on August 1 after spending 14 years as senior pastor of Zion Church in Columbia, Tennessee, and 11 years with Reformed University Fellowship.
As director of ministerial wellbeing, Joiner will oversee and administer Geneva’s programs that serve the wellbeing of ministry staff — programs such as developing call packages, access to counseling, and sabbatical guidelines — and develop new wellbeing programs. He will also oversee GBG’s relief programs which offer support to PCA pastors, widows, and ministry staff in times of need.
“As someone who has experienced ministry burnout and renewal, it will be a privilege to serve those who serve and support those who care for others. I’m thankful for this new role and look forward to seeing pastors and other ministry workers flourish in their calling,” he said.
To learn more about the GBG’s wellbeing services, visit genevabenefits.org/wellbeing-services/.