Efforts to Improve Clergy Health Laying a Fit Foundation

The Rev. Lisa Wishon visits with a member of her previous church. Now serving a congregation in Thomasville, N.C., she tries to stay healthy by watching what she eats and saving time for exercising.

The Duke Endowment has awarded $12 million for the creation of a Clergy Health Initiative administered by Duke Divinity School and focusing on helping United Methodist ministers in North Carolina tend to their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Impact

Leaders of the Clergy Health Initiative are currently involved in a baseline survey and data collection for the pilot project. They've also hired a Duke University research specialist and engaged a group of advisors to help with program design.

The initiative will use an outside, independent evaluator as well. The evaluation will include:

• Gathering participants to address issues, processes for program implementation, and feedback

• Collecting data to determine attitudes and behavior in relation to the Clergy Health Initiative

• Collecting data on participation

• Collecting data on how participants understand the programming and its purposes

• Examining process data to provide an overview, including how certain sets of participants affect outcomes

• Recommendations for the future

Contact Us

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Director of Rural Church
704.927.2251