A consistent and growing body of data lists the negative and stressful consequences for those in parish ministry. Although the need is verbalized, most clergy fail to give serious priority to consistent and disciplined self-care. Opportunities for counseling, camaraderie, health improvement or peer support are ignored or indefinitely postponed. The reasons seem diverse and ambiguous.

My project will engage key clergy and clinicians in discussing and implementing strategies to address those issues that result in Black & Latino pastors’ (BLP) failure to participate in available programs of self-care.

I will: A. convene focus groups of clergy and Christian clinicians in diverse literature reviews, B. and facilitate discussions to clarify and answer questions regarding:

1. The relevant factors involved in how BLP prioritize overall health care generally and personally

2. The existence of a culture of suspicion among BLP

3. Theological and church culture issues

The project will also create, distribute and analyze the results of questionnaires that poll BLP regarding their past, present and future use of self-care programs and services.