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Journal of Religion and Health
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 4/2012

01-12-2012 | Original paper

The Life of Leaders: An Intensive Health Program for Clergy

Authors: Teresa F. Cutts, Gary R. Gunderson, Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell, Robin Swift

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 4/2012

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Abstract

Clergy suffer from chronic disease rates that are higher than those of non-clergy. Health interventions for clergy are needed, and some exist, although none to date have been described in the literature. Life of Leaders is a clergy health intervention designed with particular attention to the lifestyle and beliefs of United Methodist clergy, directed by Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare Center of Excellence in Faith and Health. It consists of a two-day retreat of a comprehensive executive physical and leadership development process. Its guiding principles include a focus on personal assets, multi-disciplinary, integrated care, and an emphasis on the contexts of ministry for the poor and community leadership. Consistent with calls to intervene on clergy health across multiple ecological levels, Life of Leaders intervenes at the individual and interpersonal levels, with potential for congregational and religious denominational change. Persons wishing to improve the health of clergy may wish to implement Life of Leaders or borrow from its guiding principles.
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Metadata
Title
The Life of Leaders: An Intensive Health Program for Clergy
Authors
Teresa F. Cutts
Gary R. Gunderson
Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell
Robin Swift
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-010-9436-6

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