If you’ve kept up with Barna’s The State of Pastors report and ongoing updates over the last several years, you may remember what was referred to as a “burnout epidemic” among pastors and ministry leaders in the U.S.
But how are pastors faring now? Let’s take a look at some of the latest data from The State of Pastors, Volume II.
- At the time of the study (2023), 33% of pastors reported having seriously considered quitting in the past year.
- 73% had frequently or sometimes felt a sense of exhaustion, 55% a sense of isolation and 54% a sense of loneliness over the past three months.
- 9% were less confident about their calling than when they began.
But, the report is not all bad news. Now several years after the pandemic, these trends appear to be slowly returning to healthier levels.
For example, one year prior, 41% had considered quitting; so while one in three pastors is certainly higher than ideal, that’s still a roughly 20% decrease. And though pastoral confidence is down from pre-Covid levels, it has increased dramatically since 2022.
Our hope is that you are tangibly feeling this gradual release of tension in your ministry role, and that you get to see continued improvements in this space in the coming years.
That said, we cannot deny that the challenges of burnout, exhaustion and disillusionment present in our society have infiltrated even vocational ministry, and we are in desperate need of a remedy.
As believers, we’re called to be counter cultural. Often we think of this in the context of staying strong in times of persecution or refusing to compromise our beliefs – both valid and necessary!
But, what about counter-cultural rest and wellness of the soul? Might we also be called to take a stand against the idolization of hyper-productivity, in a society where burnout and exhaustion are the norm (even in ministry)?
Let’s explore what it looks like to care for our souls amidst the stress and busyness of our age.
What is soul care, and why does it matter?
Here at CAFO, we talk about soul care as both a receiving of God’s restorative care and a participation in God’s formation of our character. Soul care is spiritual formation.
It’s such a beautiful thing to see vocational ministers and laypeople alike being driven by passion for the Lord and a desire to do good work in advancing His Kingdom.
But, there’s also beauty to be found in periodically stepping back from our vocational and personal to-do lists and taking a posture of rest, as we practice simply receiving good gifts from the Lord.
That’s what we mean when we talk about soul care: not that we should forget about the good work God has called us to do, but that we must recognize that the good work cannot happen in a sustainable way if we aren’t first resting in and receiving from God. This is what we call the “Root and Fruit” principle.
In order to produce the best and most long-lasting fruit in ministry, a tree needs to first have deep and healthy roots. In Christianity Today, CAFO President Jedd Medefind discusses what happens when a tree becomes “top-heavy,” with branches that have outgrown its roots. This is not sustainable and will lead eventually to burnout.
Soul care as stewardship
Another way to look at soul care is through the lens of stewardship in God’s economy. We know we are called to steward our resources and gifts well; but more than that, we are called to steward our very selves well. Of all the resources given to us by God, He is less concerned with our money, time or skills than He is with us.
In financial terms, we budget to ensure we have enough to get by in the present, and we invest in order to maximize our income and set our future selves up for success. In the same way, we must be intentional about how we steward our souls in order to live the fullest life God has for us both now and in the future.
And the wonderful thing about living in God’s economy is that we can rest assured that His provision will cover our lack. In the world, it’s easy to fall into a frantic pace, trying to manufacture a sense of control through constant productivity. But living with God’s economy in mind allows us to move from a mindset of scarcity to abundance, from panic to peace.
Some practical next steps
As you go along your soul care journey, take inventory of what makes you feel drained and what feels life-giving to you – in your ministry, relationships and daily life. Make a note of the current “state of your soul” as it relates to these factors.
Download this free Soul Care Reflection Worksheet to get started!
Based on what you find during this time of self-reflection, consider adding life-giving habits into your routine (or pruning life-draining habits from it). Some examples you might find valuable are listed below:
Practicing gratitude
The first step in practicing soul care is shifting our heart into a posture of receiving from the Lord. What better way to do that than to reflect on all that He’s already given us? Spend a few minutes each day or week reflecting on what He’s provided (big or small), thanking Him for those gifts and declaring faith in His future provision. Read more about the benefits of practicing gratitude in this blog post!
Establishing intentional rhythms and habits
It can be helpful to think about daily, weekly and yearly rhythms when it comes to soul care; this ensures you’re being filled in an ongoing way, with deeper renewal points throughout the year. We suggest daily spending time with the Lord in prayer, weekly setting aside one day for Sabbath (check out this interview to learn more!) and annually taking time away for Pilgrim Feast.
Caring for your body
We were created as whole, interconnected beings; part of caring well for our souls means caring well for our bodies. The power of sleep, exercise and healthy eating on whole-self flourishing cannot be overstated. Check out each of the linked resources for simple and practical tips on getting better sleep, exercise and nutrition.
Setting boundaries on technology
It’s no surprise to any of us that for all its benefits, technology can be a draining factor on our mental health. Though at this point it’s unrealistic to eliminate technology from our lives completely, we can be mindful about the reasons we’re using it, and place boundaries to reduce mindless scrolling or distraction. Consider setting aside one tech-free day each week, or placing a time limit on your social media apps, and pay attention to how this impacts your mental health! Read more about setting tech boundaries.
Investing in relationships
Only 19% of pastors in the Volume II report say they receive support from peers or mentors several times a month or more; this is a significant drop from the 37% who agreed in 2015. The report also highlighted pastor mental health challenges; it’s evident that the pressures of ministry and the ongoing experiences of exhaustion, isolation and loneliness are taking a toll.
We encourage you to reach out to another minister or trusted friend who can come alongside you to encourage you, hold you accountable and speak truth into your life as you shepherd God’s people. And consider being the same support system for other pastors in your circle or those under your leadership! Read more about nurturing the spiritual health of those you lead at this blog and in CAFO’s Strategic Plan for Thriving Souls, and consider taking your team through the Spiritual Formation Calendar Experience this year!
A few final reminders
As we close, we encourage you not to feel overwhelmed at the idea of adding soul care practices into your life. Remember that spiritual formation is a journey, and it’s often the small habits that transform us over time.
Secondly, our goal here is not to prescribe specific actions. You are the one who knows best what both you and your ministry need in this season, and should make these practices your own! Our goal is simply to draw attention to a healthy heart posture, from which your choices will emanate.
Lastly, we want to recognize you for your commitment to the Word and to pouring yourself out as you care for God’s people. You are seen and valued – both by those of us at CAFO and by the Lord.
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For continued resources on this topic, visit cafo.org/soul-care/.
To hear from more Christian leaders on the practices that have impacted their spiritual wellness, check out the Justice and the Inner Life podcast.
