We believe congregations and communities flourish when pastors have permission and tools to foster their physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Since 2007, the Clergy Health Initiative has been gathering valuable data on the mental, spiritual, and physical well-being issues specific to United Methodist clergy in North Carolina. Our mission is simple but important: we're here to support you and those who have your back, so you can do God's work with energy, creativity, and insight. Our research-based recommendations are designed to help pastors like you maximize your health, so you can thrive in your ministry and in life - because we know that when you're at your best, amazing things can happen.
Who We Serve:
- North Carolina and Western North Carolina UMC clergy and congregational leaders
- Seminary students who anticipate becoming clergy
- Denominational officials and nonprofit leaders who care for clergy
- Academic audiences in occupational health
Ask Us About Our Research On:
- Physical, mental, and spiritual well-being and related practices
- Strategies that flourishing clergy use
- Protective factors against burnout and poor mental health
- Practices to manage stress
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES TO SUPPORT CLERGY WELL-BEING
We know how much you pour your heart and soul into caring for others. But here's the thing: when you take care of yourself, you'll be better equipped to serve and support your congregation with a whole heart. We are dedicated to offering you evidence-based practices, specially designed programs for you and your SPRC/PPRC, and uplifting stories that empower you to prevent burnout and embrace the abundance of life. Remember, you are not alone - we advocate for your well-being alongside denominational officials and fellow clergy leaders. Let's join forces to achieve wholeness together.
Resources for Clergy
Our data-informed strategies are designed just for you. Our resources aim to increase your resilience, protect against burnout, and free up energy to do God's work with a renewed sense of creativity and insight. We're here to help you thrive as you engage in God's work with your full heart and soul.
Published Research
Yao J., Steinberg D., Turner L., Cai, G., Cameron J., Hybels C., Eagle D., Milstein G., Rash J., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2023). When shepherds shed: Trajectories of weight, diet and exercise in a holistc health intervention tailored for US Christian clergy. Journal of Religion and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01910-8
Hough, H., Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Liu, X., Weisner, C., Turner, E.L., & Yao, J. (2019). Relationships between Sabbath observance and mental, physical, and spiritual health in clergy. Pastoral Psychology, 68(2), 171-193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-018-0838-9
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Steinberg, D., Yao, J., Eagle, D.E., Smith, T.W., Cai, G., & Turner, E.L. (2018). Using a holistic health approach to achieve long-term weight maintenance: Results from the Spirited Life intervention. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 10(1) 223-233. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/iby117
Smith, T.W., Eagle, D.E., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2017). Prospective association between depressive symptoms and the metabolic syndrome. The Spirited Life study of United Methodist pastors in North Carolina. Annals of Behavioral Medicine: A Publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 51(4), 610-619. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-017-9883-3
Proeschold-Bell, R.J. & LeGrand, S. (2012). Physical health functioning among United Methodist clergy. Journal of Religion and Health, 51(3), 734-742. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-010-9372-5
Miles, A., Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Puffer, E. (2011). Explaining rural/nonrural disparities in physical health-related quality of life: A study of United Methodist Clergy in North Carolina. Quality of Life Research, 20(6), 807-815. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9817-z
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., LeGrand, S., James, J., Wallace, A., Adams, C., & Toole, D. (2011). A theoretical model of holistic health of United Methodist clergy. Journal of Religion and Health, 50(3), 700-720. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-009-9250-1
Proeschold-Bell, R. J., & LeGrand, S. (2010). High rates of obesity and chronic disease among United Methodist Clergy. Obesity, 18(9), 1867-1870. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2010.102
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Eagle, D.E., Tice, L.C. et al. (2023). The Selah pilot study of spiritual, mindfulness, and stress inoculation practices on stress-related outcomes among United Methodist Clergy in the United States. Journal of Religion and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01848-x
Yao J., Steinberg D., Turner L., Cai, G., Cameron J., Hybels C., Eagle D., Milstein G., Rash J., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2023). When shepherds shed: Trajectories of weight, diet and exercise in a holistc health intervention tailored for US Christian clergy. Journal of Religion and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01910-8
Hough, H., Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Liu, X., Weisner, C., Turner, E.L., & Yao, J. (2019). Relationships between Sabbath observance and mental, physical, and spiritual health in clergy. Pastoral Psychology, 68(2), 171-193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-018-0838-9
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Steinberg, D., Yao, J., Eagle, D.E., Smith, T.W., Cai, G., & Turner, E.L. (2018). Using a holistic health approach to achieve long-term weight maintenance: Results from the Spirited Life intervention. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 10(1) 223-233. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/iby117
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Turner, E. L., Bennett, G. G., Yao, J., Li, X.-F., Eagle, D. E., Meyer, R. A., Williams, R. B., Swift, R. Y., Moore, H. E., Kolkin, M. A., Weisner, C. C., Rugani, K. M., Hough, H. J., Williams, V. P., & Toole, D. C. (2017). A 2-year holistic health and stress intervention: Results of an RCT in clergy. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(3), 290-299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ampere.2017.04.009
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Swift, R., Bennett, G., Moore, H. E., Li, X., Blouin, R., Williams, V., Williams, R., & Toole, D. (2013). Use of a randomized multiple baseline design: Rationale and design of the Spirited Life holistic health intervention study. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 35(2), 138-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2013.05.005
Lee, B.J., Holleman, A., and Proeschold-Bell, R. J. (2024). Stabilitty and shifts in the combined positive and negtive mental health of clergy: A longitudinal latent class and latent transition analysis study of united methodist pastors before and after the onset of COVID-19. Social Science & Medicine (2024): 116651.
Holleman, A. & Eagle, D. (2023). Is there a crisis in clergy health?: Reorienting research using a national sample. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12859
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Eagle, D.E., Tice, L.C. et al. (2023). The Selah pilot study of spiritual, mindfulness, and stress inoculation practices on stress-related outcomes among United Methodist Clergy in the United States. Journal of Religion and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01848-x
Biru, B., Yao, J., Plunkett, J., Hybels, C.F., Kim, E. T., Eagle, D. E., Choi, J., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2022). The gap in mental health services utilization among United Methodits clergy with anxiety and depression symptoms. Journal of Religion and Health, 62(3), 1597-1615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01699-y
Holleman, Anna. (2022). The resilience of clergywomen?: Gender and the relationship between occupational distress and mental health among congregational leaders. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 62(1), 89-107. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12817
Proeschold-Bell, R. J., Stringfield, B., Yao, J., Choi, J., Eagle, D., Hybels, C., Parnell, H., Keefe, K., & Shilling, S. (2021). Changes in Sabbath-keeping and mental health over time: Evaluation findings from the Sabbath Living study. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 50(2), 123-138. https://doi.org/10.1177/00916471211046227
Hybels, C. F., Blazer, D. G., Eagle, D. E., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2020). Age differences in trajectories of depressive, anxiety, and burnout symptoms in a population with a high likelihood of persistent occupational stress. International Psychogeriatrics, 34(1), 21-32. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610220001751
Keyes, C., Yao, J., Hybels, C. F., Milstein, G., & Proeschold-Bell, R. J. (2020). Are changes in positive mental health associated with increased likelihood of depression over a two-year period? A test of the mental health promotion and protection hypothesis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 270, 136–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.056
Hough, H., Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Liu, X., Weisner, C., Turner, E.L., & Yao, J. (2019). Relationships between Sabbath observance and mental, physical, and spiritual health in clergy. Pastoral Psychology, 68(2), 171-193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-018-0838-9
Lutz, J., & Eagle, D. E. (2019). Social networks, support, and depressive symptoms: Gender differences among clergy. Socius, 5, https://doi.org/10.1177/237802311987382
Milstein, G., Hybels, C., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2019). A prospective study of clergy spiritual well-being, depressive symptoms, and occupational distress. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 12(4), 409-416. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rel0000252
Case, A.D., Eagle, D.E., Yao, J., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2018). Disentangling race and socioeconomic status in health disparities research: An examination of black and white clergy. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 5(5), 1014-1022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-017-0449-7
Eagle, D., Hybels, C., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2018). Perceived social support, received social support, and depression among clergy. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(7) 2055-2073. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518776134
Hybels, C., Blazer, D.G., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2018). Persistent depressive symptoms in a population with high level of occupational stress: Trajectories offer insignts to both chroninicity and resilience. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 24(6), 399-409. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRA.0000000000000337
Adams, C., Hough, H., Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Yao, J., & Kolkin, M. (2017). Clergy burnout: A comparison study with other helping professions. Pastoral Psychology, 66(2), 147-175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-016-0722-4
Eagle, D., Miles, A., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2017). The honeymoon is over: Occupational relocation and changes in mental health among United Methodist clergy. Review of Religious Research, 59 (1), 31-45, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13644-016-0263-4
Smith, T.W., Eagle, D.E., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2017). Prospective association between depressive symptoms and the metabolic syndrome. The Spirited Life study of United Methodist pastors in North Carolina. Annals of Behavioral Medicine: A Publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 51(4), 610-619. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-017-9883-3
Blouin, R., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2015). Measuring stress in a clergy population: Lessons learned from cognitive interview testing of the Perceived Stress Scale with clergy. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 26, 141-154. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004299436_010
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Smith, B., Eisenberg, A., LeGrand, S., Adams, C., & Wilk, A. (2015). The glory of God is a human being fully alive: Predictors of positive versus negative mental health among clergy. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 54(4), 702-721. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12234
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Yang, C., Toth, M., Rivers, M., & Carder, K. (2014). Closeness to God among those doing God’s work: A spiritual well-being measure for clergy. Journal of Religion and Health, 53(3), 878-894. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9682-5
Miles, A., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2013). Overcoming the challenges of pastoral work?: Peer support groups and mental distress among United Methodist Church clergy. Sociology of Religion: A Quarterly Review, 74(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/socrel/srs055
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Miles, A., Toth, M. Adams, C, Smith, B., & Toole, D. (2013). Using Effort-Reward Imbalance Theory to understand high rates of depression and anxiety among Clergy. Journal of Primary Prevention, 34(6), 439-453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-013-0321-4
under construction
Miles, A., Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Puffer, E. (2011). Explaining rural/nonrural disparities in physical health-related quality of life: A study of United Methodist Clergy in North Carolina. Quality of Life Research, 20(6), 807-815. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9817-z
under construction
Featured Content
MINISTERING TO MINISTERS: CLERGY HEALTH INITIATIVE HELPS PASTORS FIND STRENGTH AMID STRESS
The Rev. Shannon Marie Berry ministers to her Freemont, North Carolina, congregation with support from the Duke Clergy Health Initiative, which provides strategies for dealing with the mental and physical stressors of leading a church.
TAKE A BREATH: AN OVERVIEW OF THE SELAH STRESS MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION
The Selah Stress Management Trial identified three stress reduction practices that allow pastors to fully live into the work that God is calling them to do with creativity, insight, and energy – even during the most stressful times.
Featured Videos
PASTOR JASON VILLEGAS: TAMING ANXIETY THROUGH MEDITATION
PASTOR CAROL CARKIN: LISTENING TO THE BODY'S WISDOM
PASTOR TERRY WILLIAMS: FINDING PEACE THROUGH THE DAILY EXAMEN
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS!
The Duke Clergy Health Initiative is funded by The Duke Endowment, a collaborative initiative between the Duke Divinity School and the Duke Global Health Institute, giving it a strong theological underpinning and the excellence of Duke’s research environment.