Nine out of ten pastors report strong marriages. But two in five say they're lonely, and only one in three have a trusted confidant outside their congregation. New research from Barna suggests the people best at caring for everyone else are the worst at getting care themselves.

Barna's latest study measures pastoral well-being across five dimensions: relationships, well-being, finances, vocation, and faith. Pastors scored high in nearly every category, except the one that may matter most for long-term sustainability. Relational health came in last at 67 out of 100, lower even than the churchgoers they serve. Most pastors report strong marriages (76% call their spouse their best friend), but beyond that, meaningful friendships are scarce. More than two in five pastors say they often feel isolated, and the disconnect runs deeper than just being busy. "Friendship, vulnerability, and spiritual direction aren't luxuries—they're lifelines," says Barna CEO David Kinnaman.

Here's the part that should concern every church board and leadership team: pastors don't see this as a problem they need to solve. When asked what resources would benefit them most, 57% chose leadership development, and only 28% chose relationships. They're seeking help where they're already strong and overlooking where they're quietly struggling. This is a blind spot that congregations can help address.

A thriving church starts with a thriving pastor, not just a productive one. When a leader is relationally running on empty, it eventually shows up in preaching, decision-making, and congregational culture. Investing in your friendships is a long-term health strategy. Three steps to act on this week:

Fewer Than 1 in 3 Churchgoers Read the Bible Daily | Lifeway Research

Lifeway's State of Discipleship study found that while 61% of Protestant churchgoers read the Bible regularly, only 31% do so daily, and growth has plateaued after a decade of gains. More telling: while 74% say Scripture has authority over their lives, only 40% strongly agree. There's a clear gap between stated belief and practiced habit. The bright spot: Bible engagement has nearly doubled since 2007, and regularity is the strongest predictor of whether the next generation stays in the faith.

Consider this week: What's your church's actual strategy for helping people open their Bibles outside of Sunday? One step: ask small group leaders to share what they read that week as you normalize the habit of Bible engagement.

What Men's Discipleship Can Learn from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | The Gospel Coalition

Pastor Seth Troutt draws a sharp parallel between BJJ's surge in popularity and what's missing in most men's ministries: humility through challenge, clear growth pathways, and the expectation that progress takes time. Seventy-five percent of BJJ beginners quit before the next belt. Troutt argues the church already has what men are searching for (elders, endurance, and a path that costs something), but too often it presents discipleship as frictionless rather than formative.

Consider this week: If your men's ministry feels flat, the problem might be that you're not asking enough. What would a discipleship track with clear expectations, visible milestones, and real accountability look like in your context?

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