Health and Longevity in Ministry
In our more than 30 years of ministry, Ed and I have experienced amazing highs and lows. We have seen thousands of lives changed, relationships restored, and communities positively impacted. We have also dealt with crushing emotional pain, unceasing pressure, and intense satanic attacks. I think we all understand that these challenges are common to any spiritual leader who is advancing the Kingdom of God, but we don’t necessarily prepare ourselves for the long-term emotional impact of them.
A Barna research study found “an astonishing 40% of pastors now show a high risk of burnout. That’s an almost 400% increase since 2015 when that number was just 11%.” Barna also states that more than 80% of pastors feel that the ministry has negatively impacted their family, 70% reported they do not have a close friend they can be open with, and that these challenges are affecting younger pastors just as much. The saddest question posed to ministers was, “How often, if ever, do you receive spiritual support, whether from a network of peers or from a mentor?” The results revealed only 22% of pastors said they had any regular support. As Carey Nieuwhof recently wrote, “The problem with that is that solitude is a gift from God. Isolation is a tool of the enemy.” It appears the overwhelming emotional toll of spiritual leadership pushes many pastors into places of isolation. The real stories behind these statistics can feel overwhelming and discouraging. Thank goodness, we don’t have to stay in these dark places. Here are a few tips to jump-start change:
What steps can spiritual leaders take to become healthier?
Recognize the dangers of isolation and that no one is immune to the toll it takes.
Engage in safe relationships that facilitate open, honest, and supportive dialog.
Recognize the importance of, and stay committed to, caring for your spiritual and mental health.
If you are not in a position of spiritual leadership, what can you do?
Extend grace to your spiritual leaders.
Encourage them.
Pray for them.
No one is above experiencing seasons of isolation that turn into burnout. We are all human, fragile, and frail no matter if we are spiritual leaders or not. If left on our own, we all are a few bad decisions away from blowing up our lives. I love Carey Nieuwhof’s vulnerability when he shares his own personal journey of burnout and expresses, “The greatest threat to your ministry is not what’s happening around you, but what’s happening within you. Take care of yourself, so that you can continue to care for others.” He continues to share, “The best first step in getting out of isolation and dealing with burnout is to tell a friend and get professional help.”
At exo18, the challenges spiritual leaders face weigh heavy on our hearts. Listen to Podcasts 9 and 10 as we continue to unpack this topic. We invited Dr. Michael Spivey to join us as we discuss health and longevity in ministry. Dr. Spivey recently obtained his Doctoral of Ministry in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from Portland Seminary at George Fox University. Drawing from his 25+ years of full-time ministry he founded the Thriving Pastors Initiative, a relational-based approach that helps support pastors. You can also listen to the Thriving Pastors Podcast.
We hope these resources, and Podcasts 9 and 10, offer some perspective on these challenges and some ways we can all move into healthier spaces to be the best leaders we can be. You are not alone. We value you. We believe in you.
