WELLBEING
SERVICES
Caring for yourself is good stewardship
Geneva cares for pastors as whole people and advocates for their wellbeing. We offer help with pastoral call packages, access to Christian counseling, insight into best practices for sabbaticals, and a wide range of resources so pastors can grow in financial literacy and wellbeing.
“Over the course of a ministry, you realize, ‘I can’t give to the congregation what I don’t have.’”
Pastor of a PCA Church
Healthy leaders produce
healthy churches
Counseling for Pastors & Ministry Staff
During challenging seasons of ministry and life, ministry leaders can get the support they need. Geneva offers access to a national network of Christian counselors and coaches through our counseling and wellbeing benefit. Affordable, confidential, and easily accessible, we recommend that every church provide this as a benefit for staff.
Counseling for PCA Pastors’ Wives
Pastors’ wives are often the most isolated, misunderstood, and underappreciated people in the church. Cherish is a program of the Geneva Relief Fund that makes Christian counseling available to the wife of every PCA pastor.
Financial Literacy Support
Pastors want to focus on the work of ministry. Yet they are also called to wisely steward the church’s resources, as well as their own. Geneva is here to help, with resources to enhance financial literacy.
Pastoral Compensation Consulting
Pastoral compensation can be confusing. But a well-designed call package is an act of love and care all pastors deserve. Geneva’s Call Package Guidelines and call package consulting services help pastors, session, and treasurers design call packages that maximize the impact of church resources.
Recommended Wellbeing Resources
Geneva is committed to the holistic health of pastors and ministry workers. We recommend these resources if you want to dig deeper into the practices and habirs that bring wellbeing to those who server Christ’s church.
Get your free eBook on State of PCA Pastors
The challenges of pastoring in the 21st century are significant. How are PCA pastors actually doing—spiritually, maritally, relationally, financially? Are they struggling or thriving? Download this free eBook to learn the concrete practices, conditions, and choices that prevent and promote wellbeing.
FAQ
Why is a sabbatical important?
The pastoral vocation is uniquely challenging. Work like sermon preparation, preaching, teaching, counseling, and day-to-day administrative oversight of the church are difficult and time-consuming enough. But pastors bear the additional burden of being “always on.” They get calls at night and on weekends, and wherever they go, they are seen in their pastoral role. For long-term wellbeing, pastors need occasional seasons away from these all-consuming demands provided by sabbiticals.
How do I sign up for counseling for pastors’ wives (Cherish)?
Signing up for Cherish is easy. Our counseling providers have a list of all ordained PCA teaching elders in their database. Visit genevabenefits.org/cherish, and select the counseling provider of your choice. Once you complete their intake form, one of their counselors will reach out to you to assist you in selecting a counselor and scheduling. Cherish is confidential, so Geneva staff does not receive information of those served through it. If you have challenges in registering, reach out to us at relief@genevabenefits.org.
How do I sign up for counseling for pastors and church staff?
- Employers must complete a Counseling Service Agreement (See Forms and Documents)
- Understand Employee Eligibility and Employer Requirements here
- Employee and Employer complete an Enrollment Form (See Forms and Documents)
- For those already enrolled in Geneva’s benefits, simply check the Full Strength Network checkbox and complete sections 1,2, and 5
If I participated in Cherish before, can I participate again?
Yes, you have access to 7 free/subsidized counseling sessions every year.
How is counseling/coaching more beneficial than peer networks?
Peer cohorts, while vital for pastoral wellbeing, are voluntary and mutual. Periodically, pastors need direction from trained professionals who can ask different questions, name issues with language to aid understanding, and lead them through intentional processes that cultivate personal and professional growth.