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What Thriving Pastors Do Differently, According to New Research
More than half of all pastors feel frequently overwhelmed, and this reality is shaping the future of your church.
Lifeway Research's latest study on pastoral well-being identifies five challenge zones that determine whether a pastor struggles or thrives: burnout, family strain, conflict, mindset, and preparation. The findings are sobering. Two-thirds of pastors report feeling on-call 24 hours a day. More than half say the role is frequently overwhelming. Among pastors who've served multiple churches, one in four left their last church because of unresolved conflict. And the share of pastors with no trusted person to share struggles with has quadrupled over the past decade, from 2% to 8%. These aren't abstract risks. They're the conditions that quietly erode a pastor's capacity to lead, love, and stay.
A pastor who is running on empty cannot lead a thriving congregation. The research is clear: pastors who lack trusted relationships, who carry unspoken burdens, and who haven't prepared for the interpersonal demands of ministry are significantly more likely to leave the pastorate altogether. Church health doesn't start with programs or attendance strategies. It starts with the person at the front of the room. Pastoral sustainability is a growth issue. Three steps to act on this week:
Name your depletion honestly. Which of the five zones (burnout, family, conflict, mindset, preparation) is most active in your life right now? You can't address what you won't name.
Invest in one relationship before you need it. The data shows that support networks collapse when pastors wait until crisis to build them. Reach out this week to one pastor, mentor, or trusted friend in an effort to build something before you need it.
Create a culture that lets you choose family. Nine in ten pastors know they should prioritize family when conflicts arise. Fewer than half say they do it consistently. Talk with your board or key leaders about establishing explicit expectations that protect your home.
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Ministry Intel
Joy Is a Practice, Not Just a Feeling | Christianity Today
Jonathan Pennington's reflection on Laetare Sunday—the fourth Sunday of Lent, historically marked by a commanded pause for rejoicing—offers pastors a framework that extends well beyond the liturgical calendar. Grief and joy aren't opposites, he argues; they're companions. The pastor who learns to hold both honestly will lead with a depth that sustainable ministry requires. This is the emotional and spiritual posture underneath everything the Lifeway data points to.
This week: Where in your own leadership rhythm are you acknowledging loss without also making space for joy? Build one moment of intentional gratitude into your week, not to minimize the hard, but to practice the both/and that healthy pastoral ministry demands.
Your Calling Can't Be Calculated | NewChurches
Noah Oldham, Executive Director of Send Network, tells the story of nearly being assessed out of church planting and what he learned about the difference between fit and faithfulness. Assessments have real value, he argues, but they can't measure hidden obedience, private preparation, or what God is building in the unseen places. For pastors leading through self-doubt or institutional resistance, this is a clarifying word: thriving in ministry starts with knowing who called you.
This week: Identify one leader in your congregation who may be in their own "almost" moment: underestimated, discouraged, or quietly doubting their capacity. A single conversation from a pastor who believes in them can change the trajectory.Growth Toolkit
A free 70-video course from NewChurches, covering core doctrine (Trinity, salvation, Scripture, ecclesiology), built specifically for ministry contexts. Theologically grounded leaders build churches with the convictional depth that sustains long-term health.
A free Tim Keller ebook on gospel-rooted identity, covering why an ego anchored in Christ stops needing to perform or protect itself. Essential reading for any pastor navigating the mindset challenges the Lifeway data surfaces.
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