MOVING THE RIVERBED
Moving the Riverbed
Many years ago, the psychologists Barry Stevens and Fritz Perls popularized this idea in therapy, “Don’t push the river. It flows by itself.” People often ask if CRIC will be a referral service or treatment agency. CRIC’s work is much broader and deeper. It is to influence church bodies to alter the way they manage clergy with behavioral health disorders like addiction and bipolar illness. CRIC is not letting the river flow by itself, nor is it pushing the river. It is moving the riverbed over.
Dr. James Yankech of Nebraska Wesleyan University assembled data from a variety of sources showing that clergy have high rates of behavioral health issues just like other people. Perhaps even higher. Like other professionals, clergy are responsible for other people. They work long hours. They often feel isolated. These factors lead to burnout or chronic discouragement. Add them all up and you have people who are at high risk for mental health disorders like depression and quick fixes that lead to addictions. You can get Jim’s 6-page paper from [email protected]. Next round of research will show the success of impaired practitioner programs in other professions.
Moving the Riverbed – Requires Funding
Thanks to the work of several congregational endowments and especially the Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church we now have adequate resources to begin working in earnest.
Moving the Riverbed – Requires Research
Dr. Jim Yankech has made contacts with Hazelden-Betty Ford, St. John Vianney Center and others to begin to develop the scientific basis for CRIC’s work. Data supports the idea that clergy have problems (no kidding) and that impaired practitioner programs in other professions have solutions.
Moving the Riverbed – Requires Work with Judicatories and Middle Judicatories
We need to work within denominational systems. Volunteer board members have helped to activate the proper committees and boards in the Lutheran (ELCA), United Methodist, United Church of Christ, and Episcopal Churches.
Moving the Riverbed – Requires Work in the Boiler Room
Boiler room work is both essential and unglamorous. The board is structured with 9 seats and is seeking 4 more people to fill out those seats. They will be people who are deeply committed and passionate about this work.
Moving the Riverbed – Requires Communication
Thanks to the volunteer IT efforts of Mr. Chad Harmon, we will soon be developing a web page and other communication systems. We also have a 30-minute PowerPoint to take on the road in person or virtually for anyone interested.
Just Say “No Thanks”
Compassionate Accountability is the newsletter of The Center for the Restoration of Impaired Clergy. You receive it since you indicated an interest in the Center’s work. To stop it, just say “No Thanks.” The newsletter is assembled by Otto Schultz so address your complaints and questions to [email protected].