[Pastoral Institute] – In these trying times, many things cause Clergy Burnout and may cause your faith to falter. Join the Pastoral Institute and other clergy as we talk through concerns in a safe space.
In these trying times, many things cause Clergy Burnout and may cause your faith to falter. Join the Pastoral Institute and other clergy as we talk through concerns in a safe space.
Galatians 6:2 & 5 reminds us to carry each other’s burdens and in this way, you fulfill the law of Christ. Our intent with this gathering is to create an environment of education and support. Many find that we work best in community and when we are open with like-minded persons about areas where we are struggling.
What do burnout symptoms look like?
· Exhaustion/fatigue;
· Irritability, negativity, inadequacy;
· Reduced empathy;
· Reduced sense of gratification, reward or pleasure;
· Reduced productivity;
· Sense of overwhelm/despair;
· Feeling isolated;
· Insomnia;
· Relationship conflict, withdrawal, reduced intimacy;
· Headaches, stomach upset or blood pressure;
· Mental health problems: anxiety, depression.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS:
Rev. Dn. Stephen Muse, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, BCC
· Director of Clergy-in-Kairos Program
· Senior Pastoral Psychotherapist
· CPE Supervisor
· Clinical Chaplain
Rev. Dn. Stephen Muse, PhD, LMFT, LPC, BCETS, ACS is senior pastoral psychotherapist and Director of Clergy-in-Kairos, a nationally recognized week-long intensive stress and wellness program for clergy and their spouses at the Pastoral Institute, Inc. in Columbus, Georgia.
Prior to his entry into the Greek Orthodox Church in 1993, he pastored a Presbyterian congregation for 11 years and helped begin an outpatient psychiatric clinic.
Fr. Stephen trained and supervised U.S. Army and Air Force Chaplains in pastoral psychological integration for 21 years and has worked extensively with combat veterans, persons experiencing spiritual pain and trauma and with clergy, physicians and therapists suffering professional stress and burnout.
He has published ten books, contributed chapters in ten others, and is author of 60 articles and book reviews for various professional and trade magazines including national award-winning research in the area of religious integration of therapists and their capacity for clinical empathy. His work has been translated into Russian, Greek, Swedish, Serbian and Romanian. He served as Managing Editor of The Pastoral Forum from 1993 to 2002.
Fr. Stephen is the founding church planter and first parish council President of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Columbus, GA where he currently serves as a Deacon. He and his wife Diakonissa Claudia have four children, a granddaughter and three grandsons. They live in Columbus, Georgia.
Rev. Dr. Curtis L. West, Jr., M.Div, D.Min
Rev. Dr. Curtis L. West, Jr. is an Ordained Elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church with more than 25 years of pastoral experience. He currently serves as pastor of Holsey Chapel CME Church in Columbus, GA, and as Presiding Elder of the North Columbus-LaGrange District.
He has served five consecutive terms as a delegate to the General Conference of the CME Church and as a member of the General Connectional Board. He proudly served as Dean of Mississippi Leadership Training School enjoyed employment at a hospice chaplain in Central Georgia. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. West is a graduate of Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana) with a B.A. degree in Psychology, Interdenominational Theological Center – Phillips School of Theology (Atlanta, Georgia) with a Master of Divinity Degree with a concentration in Christian Education, Southern Methodist University – Perkins School of Theology (Dallas, Texas) with a Doctor of Ministry degree with the focus on creating an Intergenerational Ministry Model in the Local Church.
Dr. West is happily married to Rev. Amarylis Didley West of Augusta, Georgia and is the father of two lovely daughters and one son.
