The New Suffering Servant: Serving While Suffering in Ministry

Many are familiar with the adage, “We can’t pour from an empty cup”.  We know that means we must be intentional to make sure we are full – mind, body, and spirit to be of healthy service to others.  Unfortunately, as pastors and ministry leaders, we tend not to heed the advice. Add to the fact as women clergy, we are expected to give everything we have to our families, our churches, our careers, and any other place we serve. Yet, at some point we will have nothing to give if we are not careful to invest in our own self-care.

Ministry and Burnout

According to a Barna study from March 2022, 42% of pastors feel like quitting full time ministry.  34% of pastors, 45 or older, feel like leaving full time ministry.  The numbers are higher among women clergy.  In another poll, women clergy state stress and burnout as the main reasons for wanting to leave ministry.  As the statistics show, attention is needed around clergy well-being, especially for women in ministry.

The Bible on Wellness

In 3 John 1, the evangelist John starts the letter to Gaius stating “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.”  Ultimately in John’s greeting, he wants Gaius to be well holistically.  Unfortunately, in Christendom, we can stress the need for people to be spiritually well, but we do not consider the wellness of people holistically.  We can serve and do everything well in ministry but if we are not physically, emotionally, mentally well also, eventually it can spill over and begin to cause illness even in our spiritual health.

How to Prevent Burnout

As a pastor, preacher, and minister of the gospel in the Lord’s Church, I take seriously the need to be well holistically.  I want to be a vessel God can use and I pray to have longevity in my service.  I consider it my responsibility to make sure I take care of myself holistically.  While this is a priority for me, there are countless others in ministry who struggle holistically while serving in ministry.  However, health and wellness among clergy can greatly improve with acknowledgement of the issue, making our health a priority and making some changes such as:

Physical Wellness and Nutrition:  According to a report published recently by the CDC, approximately 25% of Americans are physically inactive.  The lack of physical activity can lead to health issues such as cancer, diabetes and obesity.  According to the Barna Group survey, 22% of pastors surveyed state their physical health is poor or below average.  Anyone who serves in ministry knows it can be taxing on the body.  It is recommended to participate in some type of physical activity at least 150 minutes per week.  (That is 30 minutes, 5 days per week.)

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.” 

Physical wellness is not solely about getting proper exercise.  It is also about what we feed ourselves and achieving the proper amount of rest.  As individuals who can work 60-80 hour weeks in full-time ministry or being bi-vocational, it can be difficult to get the proper amount of rest.  As the work we are called to do requires much of us physically as well as spiritually, we must be intentional to practice self-care in how we rest and how we nourish ourselves.

Mental and Emotional Wellness:  Ministry can be stressful.  63% of those polled in the Lifeway Research study stated stress as their biggest mental health challenge.  Discouragement was a close second with 48% of respondents.  Whether it is the stress of running a church or taking on others’ problems in pastoral care, ministry leaders handle a lot.  It is helpful for clergypersons to attend therapy.  Journaling can be a helpful practice.  It allows one to empty out their thoughts and reflect in a safe environment.  In addition to prayer, meditation can be another tool to help clear the clutter

of the mind and center oneself.

Social Wellness:  It is important to have an outlet outside of ministry.  According to a Barna Group survey, approximately 28% of pastors state loneliness or lack of friendship as a problem.  Whether it is gathering with family or friends or going to a museum or event, it is necessary to do things to invest in personal interests.  Pastors need outlets beyond the ministry to refuel and have connection.

Overall, the journey to wellness for ministry is a personal journey.  Regardless of what we do to fill our cups, the important thing is for us to make being refueled and revived a priority.  If we are going to

give our best in the work of the Kingdom of God, we must be fully available for use.  Being fully available means mind, body, and spirit.  May we choose to be a good steward over this vessel that we may honor God in our service healthily and wholly.