What We Do
Our Mission and Vision
The Parsonage Project's MISSION: Provide advocacy, rest, resilience building, recovery, and research to struggling clergy and other ministers so that they can continue to be transformative community leaders who serve their neighbors and others.
The Parsonage Project's VISION: Support resilient and equipped clergy who have the spiritual, emotional capacity, resiliency, and creativity to envision a stronger and more authentic community caring for each other.
Why We Do It
In 2022 the media began reporting on “The Great Resignation,” the massive clergy resignation that took place post-pandemic. Studies emerged, and in December of 2023, we learned that more than half of clergy gave serious consideration to quitting. In fact, clergy are demonstrating PTSD symptoms at rates higher than the military. The cause? "immense stress,” “lonely and isolated,” “current political divisions,” and the effect ministry service has on family.
Stories emerged of clergy resignations "from the pulpit" or in congregation meetings. Accusations of job abandonment became common. Clergy taking early retirement, having mental health breakdowns, and even committing suicide became commonplace.
We acknowledge these challenges and make a continued commitment to prevent clergy from reaching such a severe state. THE PARSONAGE PROJECT commits to providing clergy resources to build resiliency, unite and care for their communities, and to provide a safe space for clergy to rest and recuperate as they consider their next steps in ministry.
THE PARSONAGE PROJECT is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity serving clergy and those they help. Won't you be a part of our work and contribute today?
If you or someone you know is
expressing a desire to take their life,
please dial 988
or visit the National Institute of Health's website.
Our Projects
THE PARSONAGE PROJECT supports members of the clergy so they build personal and professional resilience. We engage in public ministries to help the clergy and others meet the immediate needs of the people they serve. We use media and film to spotlight the problems our religious leaders face throughout their careers, often dedicating their entire life work to the marginalized in pursuit of justice or relief of suffering. And we provide safe spaces to rest, rejuvenate, and flourish.
Unfortunately, with the shifts in public funding, and the increase in suffering due to a variety of circumstances from political vitriol to climate change, our clergy are burning out.
So here's what THE PARSONAGE PROJECT is doing about it.
Exhausted? Dissatisfied in ministry? Overwhelmed? Welcome to burnout.
It may be time for a sabbatical.
We vet the current trends and share the resources you need to build personal and professional resilience, nurture your congregation, and engage safely in public ministry.
Too many of our houses of worship and other community institutions suffer from violence. We support clergy as they go about their task of caring for the victims and wider communities.