Retreating with Rev. Dr. Kristine O’Brien
This week on the podcast Rev. John Borthwick chats with Rev. Dr. Kristine O'Brien, the Executive Director of Crieff Hills Retreat Centre. Kristine reflects on her shift from congregational ministry to leading Crieff Hills, stressing how vital Sabbath rest and breaks (or "intermissions") are for avoiding burnout and sparking creativity in ministry. She talks about how taking intentional time for rest can refresh ministry leaders, helping them serve more effectively. Kristine also shares how Crieff Hills has evolved, now welcoming a variety of groups—from nonprofits to different faith traditions. The centre focuses on hospitality, spiritual renewal, and even innovative projects like ecological farming. This discussion highlights the importance of rest, creativity, and adaptability for healthy and thriving ministry.
Loneliness and Isolation as a Ministry Leader
As ministry leaders, sometimes, sadly the Church is the last place that one might look for community.
So where is your community?
Who are your people?
Inspired by these thoughts today, I’d invite you to consider this question of community to curb loneliness and isolation as a ministry leader and in the context of the Church by exploring these suggested resources.
Church Mental Health Summit
Your church has the unique opportunity to be a place of purpose, belonging, and hope for your community.
You can reach the lost, the broken, the hurting. And you can be the best expression of Jesus to them. But how do you reach a lost world in need without understanding who they are?
Join the Church Mental Health Summit to better understand the needs in your community. What if free access to this summit made all the difference in reaching the lost?
Flourishing In Ministry
One of my favourite books, that I’ve mentioned before, is Flourishing in Ministry by Matt Bloom. I think everyone who serves as a minister should read it - and I think it should be required reading for congregational leaders too. I think many of the concepts also translate to other areas of ministry leadership.
The Reality of Clergy Burnout in 2024
Inspired by the webinar “Preventing Burnout and Promoting Flourishing Among Clergy” from Common Table Conversations, let’s have a conversation about Burnout as we approach the fall—a time when work new expectations, meetings, and initiatives begin to pile up, and your next season of rest seems to be a million miles away.
Let Us Know - July 16/24
Every week we’ll ask a question to the community. We hope you’ll provide your thoughts and insights and engage with other lifelong learners on this journey of growth and development.
Burn Out and Finding Mental Health Support In Ministry
Some guidance on selecting mental health services that align with individual needs, cultural, and faith backgrounds including resources for therapy and highlighting the importance of tailored approaches.
Ministry Mental Health Summit ‘24
May is Mental Health Month and we are delighted to be one of the many sponsors of Ministry Mental Health Summit Canada coming up on May 22 - 23. The summit looks amazing and comprehensive covering topics of how to reach out and support those struggling with mental health issues through your ministry context and tending to your own mental wellbeing as a ministry leader.
Let Us Know - May 14/24
Every week we’ll ask a question to the community. We hope you’ll provide your thoughts and insights and engage with other lifelong learners on this journey of growth and development.
Psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors for Ministry Leaders.
In this post we’re offering you some searchable sites to find a practitioner that might be a helpful companion for you as you serve in ministry. I’ve always said that sometimes we need to pay someone to focus on listening to us when we spend so much of our time and energy listening to everyone else. It is an invaluable investment in ourselves.
Dear Ministry Leader: YOU Matter Too.
One finding that fascinated me - and connects with how we may be feeling at the moment - was this: almost 100% of pastors acknowledge that it is somewhat true that their mental health is important while half use none of the identified services for personal, spiritual, or mental health support (like counsellors, spiritual directors, coaches, psychotherapists, etc)…
Resources for Helping Professionals in Ministry
Caring for those who care is so very important to us. We believe that any ministry leader can benefit from learning from various practitioners and fields how best to support oneself in the helping professions. Here are a few resources…
Spiritual Care in Long Term Care - Resources
Resources for spiritual care providers and chaplains serving in LTC across Canada.
Lament: We Need to Listen
Being a leader in the Church today is hard. Join John and a Special Guest Host as they open up the room to listen and learn from one another. Ministry Forum is delighted to host an online space that will strive to be safe as modelled and facilitated by its hosts where ministry leaders will gather with almost no agenda and where everything is on the table and tangents are welcomed. Join us for "We Need To Listen" where participants will find: - support and encouragement - accountability and celebration - ideas and strategies and most of all, a community of people passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world but sometimes feel alone doing it.
What is Inter-mission?
A passionate proponent of regular sabbaticals, our Director, John shares his experience around the benefits of taking intentional breaks as a way of sustaining one for the life of ministry. If you’ve never heard of Inter-mission, then this webinar is definitely for you. The session will not be recorded since we want to ensure the safety and confidentiality of our attendees.
Don’t Miss: Church Mental Health Summit 2023
Filled with FREE timely content (with a reasonably priced All Access Pass), consider registering for the Summit where you will learn more about breaking down mental health stigma, seek ways to address the real issues in your own community, and come away with tools to support yourself and others as we provide leadership in today’s church context.