Why Ministry Leaders are Vulnerable to Mental Health Burnout
Those who lead in ministry whether as a pastor, elder, youth-minister, church staff often find it a blessing to do so. Yet it also carries a heavy emotional and often unrecognized mental-health burden. Those in ministry leadership are always having to wear many hats – preacher, counselor, administrator, visionary, mediator, not to mention likely a caregiver and spouse in their own families too. Over time, that “all-in”, constant demand can lead to emotional exhaustion, spiritual depletion, relational strain and burnout.
The numbers speak for themselves – as many as 70% of pastors have reported feeling distressed or burned out at least once a month, and approximately 46% of pastors have experienced depression at some point.1
Let’s understand better why ministry leaders can also be vulnerable to mental health burdens, and what ministry leaders can do to take care of themselves too.
Why Ministry Leaders are at Higher Risk for Mental Health Burnout:
There are several factors that contribute to the uniquely vulnerable position that ministry leaders find themselves in:
High emotional labor:
Ministry leaders are considered to be the “leader of the flock”, shepherding and guiding their congregation. This means taking care of congregation members who find themselves in crisis, grief, and conflict. Ministry leaders are often the rock that church members lean on and turn to in difficult times. The constant, emotional care-giving towards others with sometimes no end can lead to compassion fatigue, which is a cumulative result of constant exposure to trauma, sadness, and suffering. It is also common in professions like healthcare, social work, and emergency services and ministry is no different. If this goes on too long, ministry leaders can find themselves in complete emotional and physical exhaustion, with a reduced ability to empathize and even doubts in their own spiritual relationship with God.
One-sided support:
Many pastors provide care and counsel but receive little of it. Many fear burdening their congregants or colleagues with their struggles, leading to emotional isolation. When pastors are expected to be perpetual sources of strength, they may suppress their own pain, which compounds over time.
Boundary blur:
Ministry rarely fits within a 9-to-5 schedule. Calls come at all hours, emergencies arise without warning, and pastoral duties spill into what should be family or rest time. Even social gatherings can become extensions of ministry. Without firm boundaries, pastors may never truly “clock out,” which leads to chronic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout.
Overwork and role overload:
Pastors often juggle multiple roles—preacher, counselor, administrator, fundraiser, community leader, sometimes even maintenance or tech support. For bi-vocational pastors, this is compounded by a second job needed to sustain their income. Working 55–75 hours a week is not uncommon, leaving little margin for rest or reflection. This constant demand depletes mental and emotional reserves.
Pressure of expectations:
Pastors live under a convergence of expectations from denominational leaders, congregants, and the broader public. They’re often seen as moral exemplars, expected to have stable families, strong faith, and endless compassion. Many feel pressure to project spiritual vitality even when they’re exhausted or doubting themselves. The dissonance between image and reality can intensify feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, or depression.
Neglect of self-care/spiritual health:
The assumption that spiritual leaders naturally sustain their own faith can be deceptive. Without intentional rhythms of rest, prayer, and recreation, pastors’ inner lives can run dry. The demands of ministry can subtly shift focus from being with God to doing for God, eroding their spiritual foundation. Physical health often follows—poor sleep, diet, and exercise habits are common among overextended pastors.
Changing ministry context:
Ministry leaders must also contend with the outside world and realities that have altered the landscape of ministry. Declining attendance, digital fatigue, volunteer shortages, and polarized congregations have made pastoral leadership more complex and discouraging. Many pastors report feeling less connected, less effective, and unsure how to navigate shifting cultural and generational expectations
Financial and job insecurity:
Especially in smaller congregations, pastors face significant financial strain. Modest salaries, uncertain giving trends, and lack of retirement or healthcare benefits can add chronic stress. Bi-vocational pastors carry the additional weight of multiple responsibilities with limited rest.
What Ministry Leaders Can Do To Stay Well:
Here are some practical, grounded strategies for ministry leaders to guard against burnout and sustain well-being:
Cultivate authentic support networks:
Ministry can be emotionally demanding and, at times, isolating. Having a confidential, trusted space outside your congregation is essential for processing what you experience. Seek a peer or mentor who understands ministry dynamics yet stands outside your immediate church context. Join a clergy cohort, denominational group, or local ministerial alliance where vulnerability is welcomed rather than stigmatized.
According to research, only about 22% of pastors regularly seek spiritual support from peers or mentors2, meaning the majority carry their burdens alone. Consider engaging professional counseling, spiritual direction, or coaching not only in moments of crisis but as a proactive rhythm of care—just as athletes and executives rely on coaching to sustain performance. Remember, asking for help is not weakness; it’s stewardship of your mental and emotional health.
Practical examples:
– Schedule monthly peer check-ins or pastoral “round tables.”
– Keep a counselor on retainer for quarterly wellness sessions.
– If confidentiality is a concern, use online clergy counseling services or denominational programs that ensure anonymity.
Prioritize regular self-care rhythms:
Pastoral work can easily crowd out personal care unless it is scheduled intentionally. Build rhythms of rest that are as sacred as sermon prep or hospital visits. A consistent day off—protected from ministry tasks—is a biblical and emotional necessity.
Pay attention to physical well-being: movement, sleep, and nutrition aren’t indulgences but foundations of sustainable ministry. Neglecting these basics erodes emotional resilience and spiritual attentiveness. Choose “off-limit” hours when you disconnect fully from ministry communication (e.g., phone on silent after 8 p.m. or one weekend day reserved for family and recreation).
Practical examples:
– Treat exercise or a walk as a standing appointment with yourself.
– Cannot stress it enough – turn off your phone to create digital boundaries.
– Make mealtimes and family moments non-negotiable, even in busy seasons.
Clarify role and boundaries:
Ministry often grows to fill all available space unless leaders define their scope and limits. Be explicit about your primary calling—what only you can do—and delegate or decline tasks that don’t align with that focus. Communicate clearly with your board, elders, or staff about realistic expectations for your availability, workload, and family time. Setting boundaries isn’t selfish; it allows you to minister from a place of strength rather than depletion.
Practical examples:
– Publish your office hours and stick to them.
– Establish “small group” leaders who can be the first point of contact.
– Let calls after a certain hour go to voicemail, unless it’s a true emergency.
– Train volunteers and lay leaders to handle certain responsibilities independently.
Maintain spiritual renewal:
Pastors lead others toward God, but many confess they rarely spend time with Him apart from sermon preparation. Spiritual renewal must be intentional and personal. Prioritize practices that restore your soul: unhurried prayer, reflection on Scripture for your own formation (not just teaching), solitude, journaling, or silent retreats. Remember, you cannot pour out what you haven’t received. Seasons of spiritual dryness are inevitable, but acknowledging them early and tending to them with grace is vital. Schedule retreats, sabbaticals, or extended solitude to re-center on God’s presence rather than constant productivity.
Create structure for downtime and reflection:
Without deliberate reflection, ministry becomes reactive rather than responsive. Build space into your calendar for evaluation, rest, and inner inventory. Regularly ask yourself:
– Am I emotionally empty or energized?
– Do I still feel joy in my calling?
– What parts of my role bring life—or drain it?
Create micro-retreats (half-days away), silent days, or use journaling and supervision as tools for self-assessment. Monitor signs of burnout such as loss of joy, irritability, detachment, physical symptoms, and address them early. Revisit your sense of calling, celebrating small wins and relational impact rather than only numerical growth or performance metrics.
Encourage your church/organization to be healthy too:
Pastoral well-being is inseparable from the health of the community you serve. Encourage open dialogue about mental health in your congregation—preach on it, normalize therapy, and provide resources for support. The more a church learns to care for one another, the less the pastor becomes the sole emotional caretaker.
Model healthy leadership by practicing what you preach: take days off, seek counsel, delegate, and communicate boundaries. This not only protects you but also teaches your congregation that self-care and soul-care are part of faithful discipleship.
Practical examples:
– Invite mental health professionals for seminars or workshops.
– Share openly (appropriately) about your own rhythms of rest and renewal.
– Develop lay care teams or peer support networks (small groups) to share pastoral load.
What Can YOU Do to Help Ministry Workers and Leaders?
As a community, we can care for ministry leaders by recognizing that they, too, need space to rest, recharge, and be human. We can support them by offering grace instead of constant expectation—encouraging them to take time off, respecting their boundaries, and reminding them that their worth isn’t tied to productivity or perfection. Providing practical help—such as sharing ministry responsibilities, volunteering consistently, or funding counseling and sabbatical opportunities—can lift an immense burden. Just as pastors walk with others through life’s struggles, we can walk with them by listening without judgment, praying for them regularly, and creating a culture where honesty about mental and emotional health is welcomed, not feared. When the body cares for its shepherds, everyone becomes stronger.
Ministry leadership is a sacred work, and it demands not just energy, but sustainability. The truth is: you cannot pour from an empty cup. If you lead others, you must lead yourself—toward resilience, rest, renewal and authenticity. In doing so, you not only serve your congregation better, but also preserve the well-being God designed for your life and calling.
The compassionate team of licensed therapists at Fully Health Clinic, sponsored by Oak Health Foundation, is here to walk with you whether you’re supporting a friend or facing your own mental health challenges. Contact us here or at +1 877-553-8559 to schedule a confidential appointment and take the first step toward healing and hope.
If you found our resources useful, please consider donating to Oak Health Foundation, which is a 501(3)c nonprofit dedicated to providing resources regarding holistic mental healthcare and subsidized treatment for those in need.
- Gaultiere, Bill. “Pastor Stress Statistics – Pastors Under Stress.” Soul Shepherding, Soul Shepherding, https://www.soulshepherding.org/pastors-under-stress/.
- Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. “5 Shocking Realities About the Real State of Pastor Burnout.” 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.wnccumc.org/resourcedetail/5-shocking-realities-about-the-real-state-of-pastor-burnout-17392915.
