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A senior pastor of a good-sized church recently shared with us that after talking with several other senior pastors, they all agreed that the past month or so has been among the most challenging times to be in ministry. The divisiveness within our country and the growing concerns about social media are spilling over to our churches. Right now, many pastors may feel like they are trying to reclaim connection in a world that has forgotten what connection is. And this is on top of the challenges that pastors face week in and week out.
They hear it all. They know about the struggles of individuals, whether it be in relationships, health, financial, or vocational. They walk alongside families as they mourn the loss of loved ones. When disaster strikes, pastors are expected to know what to do, what to say, and how to help. At the same time, they are expected to celebrate the joys in life; weddings, births, anniversaries and all the in between.
Meanwhile, pastors are human, living in a world full of humans, many of whom are struggling to love their neighbor and do good in this world. And, many of whom have very strong and loud opinions on how their pastor should or should not lead their congregation.
Some other pressures faced by pastors in 2025 include shifts in the cultural, social and political climate that seem pretty unavoidable for all. Some of the biggest challenges include the following:
Declining trust in institutions: Some individuals feel they have been misguided, misrepresented, or even shunned by certain institutions, both in the private and public sector. This feeling can translate to include religious organizations, often leading those who feel marginalized to turn away from the church rather than turning to it.
Polarization and division: The current political climate in the United States is one of division and conflict. It seems that some people feel strongly about their convictions and are not afraid to voice them. Quite often the expectation is that the church will agree with one side or strongly oppose another, and this can create dissonance within the pastor as to what and how much they will communicate to their congregations.
Expanded expectations: Pastors are expected to be preachers, counselors, administrators, fundraisers, visionaries, community organizers, and content creators—all at once. Many feel under-prepared and overwhelmed.
These challenges can feel heavy among pastors and lead to experiencing things such as loneliness, isolation, mental health concerns, and burnout. Along these lines, like anyone in the caring professions or caregivers in general, pastors are at risk for developing compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue can be described as excessive fatigue and exhaustion resulting from frequent emotional engagement with the suffering and trauma of others, characterized by impaired empathy, detachment, and irritability. In its most basic description, compassion fatigue can present itself as a feeling like the spiritual leader just doesn’t care anymore. Other signs might be intrusive thoughts of traumatic or frightening events, avoidance of reaching out to someone, reluctance to go into work or perform specific tasks, having a short temper, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
When you find yourself feeling like you just can’t do it anymore, you might be suffering from compassion fatigue or burnout. Thankfully, there are things pastors, and others, can do to prevent and overcome compassion fatigue.
How to Prevent and Cope with Compassion Fatigue
1. Boundaries: Boundaries are loving, for you, for your family and for those you serve. They help you stay healthy and prioritize what really matters. Determine your own boundaries of time, space and tasks and stick to them as much as possible. Examples of healthy boundary setting include:
- Know your limits – Be clear on what you can and can’t accept.
- Communicate directly – Say what you mean with honesty and calmness.
- Use “I” statements – “I feel…” or “I need…” keeps it about you, not blame.
- Be consistent – Hold the same line every time; don’t waver.
- Start small – Practice with less emotional situations first.
- Expect pushback – Stay firm even if others resist.
- Respect others’ boundaries too – It builds mutual trust.
- Prioritize peace over pleasing – You’re allowed to say no.
2. Professional Support: Build a relationship with a trusted therapist early in your ministry. Even if you don’t need to go regularly, once you have this relationship, you can schedule maintenance appointments for the times when things begin to feel really heavy.
3. Prioritize Self-Care: Self-care is not selfish, it is necessary. Exercise, good nutrition, adequate sleep and finding time for the things you enjoy not only help you feel better, but they model a healthy lifestyle to those around you. Find your Sabbath and enjoy it.
4. Delegate Tasks: You don’t have to do it all! If you have the luxury of additional pastoral or ministerial staff, divide up responsibilities according to each others’ strengths and abilities. If this is not the structure at your church, train volunteers to do care visits or support church members in various ways.
5. Live Beyond Your Church: Take time to nurture your friendships and interests outside of church life. Prioritize getting together with old friends or friends from other churches and perhaps take up a hobby such as golf or hiking where you can be in nature, removed from your daily obligations.
6. Take Sabbaticals: Your yearly family vacation to the beach does not count! It’s important for pastors to take time away from their church and use this time to recharge, slow down, and feed your soul. Build these times into your yearly calendar.
Pastors have a tough job, one that can be deeply rewarding and satisfying as well as emotionally and physically draining. While it’s tempting to try to do it all, be it all and feel it all for the sake of others, the demands of the charge can be greater than the capacity of the individual.
It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to lean on others. It’s OK to need a break and it’s OK to confide in others. By doing so, you will increase your ability to be available to minister to others in so many wonderful ways.
Written by Doug Reed and Carrie Cravens, LCSW, with collaboration from Allyson Johnson, Pastor for Adult Ministries at St. Andrew
A senior pastor of a good-sized church recently shared with us that after talking with several other senior pastors, they all agreed that the past month or so has been among the most challenging times to be in ministry. The divisiveness within our country and the growing concerns about social media are spilling over to our churches. Right now, many pastors may feel like they are trying to reclaim connection in a world that has forgotten what connection is. And this is on top of the challenges that pastors face week in and week out.
They hear it all. They know about the struggles of individuals, whether it be in relationships, health, financial, or vocational. They walk alongside families as they mourn the loss of loved ones. When disaster strikes, pastors are expected to know what to do, what to say, and how to help. At the same time, they are expected to celebrate the joys in life; weddings, births, anniversaries and all the in between.
Meanwhile, pastors are human, living in a world full of humans, many of whom are struggling to love their neighbor and do good in this world. And, many of whom have very strong and loud opinions on how their pastor should or should not lead their congregation.
Some other pressures faced by pastors in 2025 include shifts in the cultural, social and political climate that seem pretty unavoidable for all. Some of the biggest challenges include the following:
Declining trust in institutions: Some individuals feel they have been misguided, misrepresented, or even shunned by certain institutions, both in the private and public sector. This feeling can translate to include religious organizations, often leading those who feel marginalized to turn away from the church rather than turning to it.
Polarization and division: The current political climate in the United States is one of division and conflict. It seems that some people feel strongly about their convictions and are not afraid to voice them. Quite often the expectation is that the church will agree with one side or strongly oppose another, and this can create dissonance within the pastor as to what and how much they will communicate to their congregations.
Expanded expectations: Pastors are expected to be preachers, counselors, administrators, fundraisers, visionaries, community organizers, and content creators—all at once. Many feel under-prepared and overwhelmed.
These challenges can feel heavy among pastors and lead to experiencing things such as loneliness, isolation, mental health concerns, and burnout. Along these lines, like anyone in the caring professions or caregivers in general, pastors are at risk for developing compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue can be described as excessive fatigue and exhaustion resulting from frequent emotional engagement with the suffering and trauma of others, characterized by impaired empathy, detachment, and irritability. In its most basic description, compassion fatigue can present itself as a feeling like the spiritual leader just doesn’t care anymore. Other signs might be intrusive thoughts of traumatic or frightening events, avoidance of reaching out to someone, reluctance to go into work or perform specific tasks, having a short temper, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
When you find yourself feeling like you just can’t do it anymore, you might be suffering from compassion fatigue or burnout. Thankfully, there are things pastors, and others, can do to prevent and overcome compassion fatigue.
How to Prevent and Cope with Compassion Fatigue
1. Boundaries: Boundaries are loving, for you, for your family and for those you serve. They help you stay healthy and prioritize what really matters. Determine your own boundaries of time, space and tasks and stick to them as much as possible. Examples of healthy boundary setting include:
- Know your limits – Be clear on what you can and can’t accept.
- Communicate directly – Say what you mean with honesty and calmness.
- Use “I” statements – “I feel…” or “I need…” keeps it about you, not blame.
- Be consistent – Hold the same line every time; don’t waver.
- Start small – Practice with less emotional situations first.
- Expect pushback – Stay firm even if others resist.
- Respect others’ boundaries too – It builds mutual trust.
- Prioritize peace over pleasing – You’re allowed to say no.
2. Professional Support: Build a relationship with a trusted therapist early in your ministry. Even if you don’t need to go regularly, once you have this relationship, you can schedule maintenance appointments for the times when things begin to feel really heavy.
3. Prioritize Self-Care: Self-care is not selfish, it is necessary. Exercise, good nutrition, adequate sleep and finding time for the things you enjoy not only help you feel better, but they model a healthy lifestyle to those around you. Find your Sabbath and enjoy it.
4. Delegate Tasks: You don’t have to do it all! If you have the luxury of additional pastoral or ministerial staff, divide up responsibilities according to each others’ strengths and abilities. If this is not the structure at your church, train volunteers to do care visits or support church members in various ways.
5. Live Beyond Your Church: Take time to nurture your friendships and interests outside of church life. Prioritize getting together with old friends or friends from other churches and perhaps take up a hobby such as golf or hiking where you can be in nature, removed from your daily obligations.
6. Take Sabbaticals: Your yearly family vacation to the beach does not count! It’s important for pastors to take time away from their church and use this time to recharge, slow down, and feed your soul. Build these times into your yearly calendar.
Pastors have a tough job, one that can be deeply rewarding and satisfying as well as emotionally and physically draining. While it’s tempting to try to do it all, be it all and feel it all for the sake of others, the demands of the charge can be greater than the capacity of the individual.
It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to lean on others. It’s OK to need a break and it’s OK to confide in others. By doing so, you will increase your ability to be available to minister to others in so many wonderful ways.
Written by Doug Reed and Carrie Cravens, LCSW, with collaboration from Allyson Johnson, Pastor for Adult Ministries at St. Andrew
It’s a Really Challenging Time to be in Ministry
Pastors face rising burnout and pressure. Learn how to set boundaries, find support, and stay healthy in ministry.
A senior pastor of a good-sized church recently shared with us that after talking with several other senior pastors, they all agreed that the past month or so has been among the most challenging times to be in ministry. The divisiveness within our country and the growing concerns about social media are spilling over to our churches. Right now, many pastors may feel like they are trying to reclaim connection in a world that has forgotten what connection is. And this is on top of the challenges that pastors face week in and week out.
They hear it all. They know about the struggles of individuals, whether it be in relationships, health, financial, or vocational. They walk alongside families as they mourn the loss of loved ones. When disaster strikes, pastors are expected to know what to do, what to say, and how to help. At the same time, they are expected to celebrate the joys in life; weddings, births, anniversaries and all the in between.
Meanwhile, pastors are human, living in a world full of humans, many of whom are struggling to love their neighbor and do good in this world. And, many of whom have very strong and loud opinions on how their pastor should or should not lead their congregation.
Some other pressures faced by pastors in 2025 include shifts in the cultural, social and political climate that seem pretty unavoidable for all. Some of the biggest challenges include the following:
Declining trust in institutions: Some individuals feel they have been misguided, misrepresented, or even shunned by certain institutions, both in the private and public sector. This feeling can translate to include religious organizations, often leading those who feel marginalized to turn away from the church rather than turning to it.
Polarization and division: The current political climate in the United States is one of division and conflict. It seems that some people feel strongly about their convictions and are not afraid to voice them. Quite often the expectation is that the church will agree with one side or strongly oppose another, and this can create dissonance within the pastor as to what and how much they will communicate to their congregations.
Expanded expectations: Pastors are expected to be preachers, counselors, administrators, fundraisers, visionaries, community organizers, and content creators—all at once. Many feel under-prepared and overwhelmed.
These challenges can feel heavy among pastors and lead to experiencing things such as loneliness, isolation, mental health concerns, and burnout. Along these lines, like anyone in the caring professions or caregivers in general, pastors are at risk for developing compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue can be described as excessive fatigue and exhaustion resulting from frequent emotional engagement with the suffering and trauma of others, characterized by impaired empathy, detachment, and irritability. In its most basic description, compassion fatigue can present itself as a feeling like the spiritual leader just doesn’t care anymore. Other signs might be intrusive thoughts of traumatic or frightening events, avoidance of reaching out to someone, reluctance to go into work or perform specific tasks, having a short temper, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
When you find yourself feeling like you just can’t do it anymore, you might be suffering from compassion fatigue or burnout. Thankfully, there are things pastors, and others, can do to prevent and overcome compassion fatigue.
How to Prevent and Cope with Compassion Fatigue
1. Boundaries: Boundaries are loving, for you, for your family and for those you serve. They help you stay healthy and prioritize what really matters. Determine your own boundaries of time, space and tasks and stick to them as much as possible. Examples of healthy boundary setting include:
- Know your limits – Be clear on what you can and can’t accept.
- Communicate directly – Say what you mean with honesty and calmness.
- Use “I” statements – “I feel…” or “I need…” keeps it about you, not blame.
- Be consistent – Hold the same line every time; don’t waver.
- Start small – Practice with less emotional situations first.
- Expect pushback – Stay firm even if others resist.
- Respect others’ boundaries too – It builds mutual trust.
- Prioritize peace over pleasing – You’re allowed to say no.
2. Professional Support: Build a relationship with a trusted therapist early in your ministry. Even if you don’t need to go regularly, once you have this relationship, you can schedule maintenance appointments for the times when things begin to feel really heavy.
3. Prioritize Self-Care: Self-care is not selfish, it is necessary. Exercise, good nutrition, adequate sleep and finding time for the things you enjoy not only help you feel better, but they model a healthy lifestyle to those around you. Find your Sabbath and enjoy it.
4. Delegate Tasks: You don’t have to do it all! If you have the luxury of additional pastoral or ministerial staff, divide up responsibilities according to each others’ strengths and abilities. If this is not the structure at your church, train volunteers to do care visits or support church members in various ways.
5. Live Beyond Your Church: Take time to nurture your friendships and interests outside of church life. Prioritize getting together with old friends or friends from other churches and perhaps take up a hobby such as golf or hiking where you can be in nature, removed from your daily obligations.
6. Take Sabbaticals: Your yearly family vacation to the beach does not count! It’s important for pastors to take time away from their church and use this time to recharge, slow down, and feed your soul. Build these times into your yearly calendar.
Pastors have a tough job, one that can be deeply rewarding and satisfying as well as emotionally and physically draining. While it’s tempting to try to do it all, be it all and feel it all for the sake of others, the demands of the charge can be greater than the capacity of the individual.
It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to lean on others. It’s OK to need a break and it’s OK to confide in others. By doing so, you will increase your ability to be available to minister to others in so many wonderful ways.
Written by Doug Reed and Carrie Cravens, LCSW, with collaboration from Allyson Johnson, Pastor for Adult Ministries at St. Andrew
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