Pastors are experiencing more loneliness than ever.
This was one of the alarming findings from Barna’s Resilient Pastor research, indicating a concerning decline in the well-being of pastors.
From 2015 to 2022, all aspects of their well-being, including spiritual, mental, and emotional dimensions, experienced a significant decrease. In 2015, ten percent of pastors ranked themselves below average regarding friendship. In 2022, twenty percent said the same.
That means right now one in five pastors feel like they don’t have true friends to receive support from, confide in, and laugh with.
(This article is adapted from the book A Preach Well Church: How Churches Can Stop Burning Out Pastors by Josh Taylor. It originally appeared at PreachWell.com.)
The loneliness epidemic among pastors is a serious issue that needs attention. Is it any wonder that as pastors report increasing loneliness, they also report decreasing overall well-being? That’s why I wrote my book, A Preach Well Church. In it, I argue that church members play a crucial role in prioritizing the well-being of their pastors by encouraging rest and self-care.
So what can church members do? Here are a few tips:
1. Grant Permission to Rest
Give your pastor permission to rest. Yes, you read that right—permission to rest. Because most pastors are conscientious and hard-working, they may feel guilty or lazy for taking time off. They may worry that they are letting people down or neglecting their duties.
That’s why they need you to tell them it’s okay to rest. That it’s not only okay but necessary and beneficial for them and for the church.
Pastor, rest is not a luxury, and self-care is not selfish. They are not indulgent. They are not optional.
Rest is not a sign of weakness. It’s not a waste of time. It’s a gift from God. It’s a way of honoring Him and His creation. It’s vital and, ultimately, it’s biblical. Rest is holy. Get some.
Church members, encourage your pastors to take care of themselves and their families. Remind them that they are not alone. Assure them that you will support them in their time away.
Provide your pastor with opportunities to rest.
2. Establish Clear Structures
This means creating a clear structure for days off and vacations for your pastor and making sure your pastor takes them!
Don’t make your pastor feel guilty or pressured for missing something. Recognizing limits and setting boundaries prevent burnout.
3. Prepare Lay Leaders or Staff
Churches must prepare lay leaders or staff to cover in the pastor’s absence.
Arrange for pulpit supply and pastoral emergency coverage while on vacation or sick leave. Train and equip people to handle various aspects of ministry, such as worship, preaching, visitation, and administration. Empower and release people to serve according to their gifts and passions.
These are just some of the ways church members can support and encourage their pastors’ rest and self-care. I address many more ways in my book, but the most important thing is that church members do something.
Pastors may be surrounded by people, but that doesn’t mean they have their support. It takes a church for a pastor to rest well.
(This article is adapted from the book A Preach Well Church: How Churches Can Stop Burning Out Pastors by Josh Taylor. It originally appeared at PreachWell.com.)
(Photo by Don Graham Flickr)
