E. Scott Feather (Gateway Church, lead pastor, Parkesburg, Pa., and GraceConnect board member) and wife Jodi spoke at a youth worker lab at Momentum on Wednesday, July 17.
Married for 22 years and both in full-time ministry, they collaborated with other ministry workers at the conference to discuss the challenges that arise while serving. Scott and Jodi asked the group main struggles they face and why they came to the “Leader Self-Care” lab. One person answered they were unable to recognize the warning signs of burn-out, or ministry fatigue.
Together with the group, the Feathers came up with solutions: meeting with mentors, taking a day off, having accountability partners, and setting boundaries. These steps will require vulnerability, Scott said.
The couple left the ministry leaders and servants with 1 Peter 5:1-7 and the advice to maintain “emotionally healthy spirituality.”