Big-Church Pastor Eager to Get More Involved in Health Initiative

The Rev. R. Mark King has dropped 30 pounds in the past year, cut back on his daily intake of Sun-Drop soda and hits the treadmill three or four days each week.

As he pays more attention to all facets of his well-being, the executive pastor of 3,800-member Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., is eager to become more involved in the Clergy Health Initiative.

He participated in the initial assessment, and now awaits more group programs and individual attention as the initiative moves toward expanding its services through the two United Methodist Conferences in North Carolina.

King says the mental and spiritual parts of staying fit are the toughest. In a new role in which he serves as CEO and day-to-day overseer of a large, downtown church, he's only able to take a half-day off most weeks. It's hard to leave the pressures behind when he pulls into the driveway at home each evening. But he's being more mindful of his weight — eating pizza and burgers in moderation and trying to stay consistent in his health habits.

"I think I've done quite well," King says. "I haven't ballooned (in weight) back and forth. I needed to do it. I'm 45 and I'm not getting any younger. And I like food too much."

King is receptive to the idea of developing a personal wellness plan through the initiative once such individualized outreach is offered to pastors across North Carolina. He's eager for the initiative to start getting the word out to preachers everywhere, that there is hope for those who want more energy and less weight, more vigor and less burdens.

"I've done all I can do," he says. "I probably need the next step."