Rev. Jason Sisk-Provencio, Pastor, United Church of Christ in San Luis Obispo, CA, Pension Boards member, and participant in Ministers’ Financial Vitality Initiative, offers his reflections on the areas that impact clergy.
“Ministry is a full-time vocation with different levels of compensation.”
Ministry is a full-time vocation with different levels of compensation. Some ministers work full-time and are compensated part-time; others work full-time and are compensated full-time, which is a blessing. There are fewer and fewer churches in our tradition that are able to do that.
When I was serving part-time at the United Church of Christ in San Luis Obispo, I worked for a local nonprofit that provided programming at the local county jail. I volunteered at the prison, and I thought, well, here’s a great opportunity to serve those who are experiencing incarceration. I also officiated a good number of weddings and was able to supplement my income, pay my student loans, and make ends meet.
However, it was difficult managing all of these expectations while trying to get ready for Sunday service. I was really grateful that the church started growing and they were able to compensate me so that I could work full-time—but that’s not the reality for a lot of UCC clergy.
“The incentive pay helped me pay back my student loans. Hallelujah! And I thought, thank you, God, this is exactly what I need right now. It really was an answer to prayer.”
I had substantial student loan debt from seminary. I thought I would be able to repay the money easily, but it turned out to be very challenging. Student loan payments were about $800 a month. I struggled to make my payments each month as I navigated between the high cost of living on California's Central Coast, a humble salary as a pastor, contributing to our household to support the church that I serve (because I believe in supporting the ministry), and estimating costs of quarterly taxes. I often said to myself, “Well, something just has to give this month.” So, it was a challenge.
So, when I received an email from the Pension Boards about the MFVI program, I applied immediately. The incentive pay helped me pay back my student loans. Hallelujah! And I thought, thank you, God, this is exactly what I need right now. It really was an answer to prayer. Plus, I have made it a goal that by the time I turn 50, I will be debt free.
In my family of origin, we never had a lot of money. Money was the source of anxiety and stress. I think that is the reason we rarely talked about it. It would've been great for us to have some honest, open conversations about money. I wish that my parents had said, “Gosh, it is challenging right now. We're doing our best. We want you kids to know that you will always have food and that you will always have clothes... and we will be okay.” But quite frankly, we never had that conversation.
I remember being six years old and worrying about money. I overheard my mom once tell a friend how poor we were. I thought, “Oh no! Are we going to make it? Will my family be able to afford to live in our apartment? Are we going to have enough food to eat?” There were a lot of feelings of worry, anxiety, and shame. The topic of money was not a safe subject to discuss.
“James Baldwin once said, ‘Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.’ We need to talk about money.”
James Baldwin once said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” We need to talk about money.
I don't hear a lot of clergy talking about their mental health challenges. I think there is some stigma and shame associated with it. There’s a perception that clergy people have it all together and that we don't live with anxiety or depression or bipolar disorder or the many other mental health concerns that impact so many Americans. We are people too!
I wish that we talked about mental health challenges more, but it seems like whenever clergy get together, we talk about the churches that we serve. Being a pastor is only a part of who we are. There is a whole side of us that is never talked about, and that includes mental health challenges.
Not addressing mental health impacts clergy and their ability to really serve people out of a healthy, vibrant, and courageous spirit. It prevents clergy from being curious, open, and honest with the people we serve.
Find out what your spirit needs. Think about the actions you take that provide you with inspiration, healing, or restoration, and find some ways to incorporate more of that in your life.
For example, I am very sensitive to sound. I'm an auditory learner. So, when I think about my own self-care, I need quiet, and an opportunity to release all of the sound that I'm holding in. I let go of all the conversations that are still present in my mind. I spend some time in the sanctuary when no one else is around — it's just peaceful and quiet. When I hike, I turn off my cell phone or put it on silent and do not check it for a day. Peace and quiet totally restores my soul.
God doesn't want us to live in fear and God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). God doesn't want us to live in shame, guilt, or regret. God has freed us from all of those things. So, why are we holding onto them? We have so much to gain if we can just be courageous and let it go. Our future and those we serve are waiting for us.
