Small-Town Pastor Trying to Stay in a ‘Good Pattern'

A lot has happened to Rev. Lisa Wishon — most of it positive — since her story was featured in a 2007 profile in Duke Divinity School's magazine on the need for an initiative to help overworked clergy improve their health. In 2007, Wishon confessed that she worked too many hours, ate too much junk food, didn't exercise enough and had trouble leaving her ministry at the church office at day's end.

Since then — and partly because the article and attention inspired her to do something — the 1992 Duke Divinity School graduate has lost 35 pounds, traded popcorn and peanut butter crackers for fruits and soups, joined WeightWatchers and is hitting the fitness machines at the YMCA three afternoons a week.

Now at Fairview United Methodist in Thomasville, N.C., she says the 250-member congregation has created an atmosphere in which she doesn't feel as if she must be all things to all people. The congregation has lightened her schedule, eased her mind and allowed her more time to take care of herself so she can better care for others. Even though the parsonage is beside the church, she doesn't feel pressure to work around the clock.

"It's their church," she says, "and they see me more as their pastor rather than a CEO."

Wishon participated in the initial assessment of pastors' health and lifestyle conducted by the Clergy Health Initiative. She'd like to participate in more programs through the initiative as it expands across the two United Methodist Conferences in North Carolina.

For now, spurred on by the initiative, she says, "I'm in a good pattern."