Care for Pastors
Life in ministry has always had its challenges, but during the last few years pastoral work has taken on new levels of complications, stressors, and pain. In 2022, Barna found that 42% of the pastors they surveyed had considered leaving full-time ministry that year. While there are legitimate causes for this increase, I find myself often wondering if the stressors of the past years have functioned more as a revelation than causation. What we are discovering about pastoring in western culture is often a way that leads to exhaustion, burnout, faith deconstruction, and in extreme circumstances abuse and bullying. This is not the light yoke that Jesus speaks about in Matthew 11.
So many pastors deeply desire a different way of being, but just don’t know how to begin. I offer support for pastors as they navigate new pathways.
Current Opportunities
Fall Camino Portuguese & Spiritual Variant
Come join me September 3-12 on the Camino Portuguese (including the Spiritual Variant). 110~ km route will be broken up into 7 days of walking, within an intimate group setting. This experience includes pre-trip and post-trip meetings, as well as guidance throughout the experience. Spaces are limited and registration closes March 15.
The Stories We Tell About Our Bodies
You’re invited to reflect on the narratives you’ve collected about your body & discover a story that makes space for the body you actually have as one who bears the image of God. This retreat will utilize story work, spiritual direction, & embodied practices to create a safe and welcoming place for healing and growth.
Pilgrimage in Place: Springtime
Say hello to spring with a nature walk into this new season.
This unique pilgrimage experience will invite you to bear witness to the change of seasons by walking in and engaging with nature.
Your Guides:
Janet McElvaine: Born and raised in western Montana, Janet has continued her long and beloved relationship with nature and the land in Snohomish since 1998. She and her husband, Lee, are becoming “citizen scientists,” trained by curious first graders during field trips to their pond and forest habitats each spring. As a licensed mental health counselor, Janet appreciates God’s gifts of nature and enjoys expanding emotional and spiritual well-being in this context.
Jen Manglos: As a spiritual director, pastor, & pilgrimage guide, Jen Manglos provides care and support for the worn out, wanderers, and wonderers. Her first Camino in 2018 shook up her nice and normal life, eventually leading to her offering guidance & support for folks on pilgrimage. She currently resides in Seattle where she is enjoying that PNW life.
Individual Spiritual Direction
One on one meetings for you to process through your experience of God in the midst of your vocation. This is a prayerful space for you to be cared for and listened to, as we both seek out God’s fingerprints.
Group Direction for Pastors
These groups provide safe space to debrief with others in the ministry world. This isn’t a group to give advice, but a listening space to connect to others in ministry, receive care, and share your stories of the beauties and deep pains of this unique vocation.
Sabbatical Planning
Embarking on a sabbatical can be both an exciting and overwhelming possibility. I offer support from the planning stages to the sabbatical time itself through to re-entry post sabbatical. Support is customized to each pastor’s unique needs. Email Jen to connect and discover what your sabbatical could look like.
Consulting
With over 20 years of experience in ministry, I offer consulting to pastors on areas of spiritual development and formation, embodied faith, spiritual practices, sermon series development, house churches, urban church communities, Church Trauma & Faith Deconstruction, and pilgrimage.