Let me lead with — I have been both fat and a pastor. Unfortunately, no one really ever thought to tell me I was fat, although a few buddies teased me.
Stolen stat: 73% of pastors are overweight with 50% more than 30 lbs overweight.
At one point I was 230lbs. Today I am 190 on my way to 185 after 1 long year of hard work, exercise and eating real sized portions. Hold me accountable if I ever top 200lbs again.
Did a quick internet search… 2 top results; this one is worth the read, the other is apparently doing something about it.
Here is why I think most (not all) pastors get fat. You choose the priority order. My hope is that we would all strive to lead healthy lives in every area.
Pastors get fat because:
- Typically they work over 50 hours a week and leave no time or energy for being physically healthy.
- Pastors value meetings; either with people from their churches or with their staff for ‘ministry projects’… this leads to a LOT of sitting. (Pointer based on experience – learn to talk while you walk)
- Most churches have expense accounts for meetings which get used for meals. Not bad in themselves, but when combined with sitting and given that most pastors are underpaid, free meals become VERY attractive. (Pointer – order from the lunch or appetizer menu; share meals when out with your spouse)
- Physical health, exercise and ‘play’ is not seen as a spiritual value. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
- The United States church culture is more likely to address porn as an issue than it is obesity, however, pastors struggle with both.
amen!
I have always been a little overweight. Through HS and college though, I was very active. Even in seminary I was living in an urban center with a gym within walking distance and was a part of two different athletic teams. Then I became a full-time pastor in a small town.
I gained about 50 pounds in the first year, and didn’t even realize it until I kept wearing the same pair of pants every Sunday because none of my other ones fit. It was combination of all of the things you listed. A lot of what I do as a pastor is sitting and eating. To be honest, that is a lot of what Jesus did too. The only difference is that he had to walk a few miles inbetween meals.
For the last year I have struggled with getting back into an exercise routine. I bought a gym membership in a town 10 miles away. I went sporadically for the first few months, allowing excuses to keep me from getting into a habbit.
For the last month I have done a good job sticking to it. I know that I am a better pastor since I have been exercising. It has rejuvinated me and forced me to organize my time better. I haven’t seen much weight loss, but I feel better than I have in years.
Anyway, thanks for the link, and I wish you well.
God Bless,
The Fat Pastor
Robb, thanks for personalized insights.
Hopefully the post read as a challenge not an indictment.
Hope you keep sticking to your new efforts.
I agree that Jesus would eat and be with people and exercise too.
Well I am certainly not fat – but I definitely do not eat healthy enough or exercise enough. Oh and I do enjoy the free meals. Free food always gets my attention…