In the past, ministry leaders rarely admitted to experiencing stress, panic attacks, or stress-related addictions. Talking about mental health medications or therapy (or both) was taboo. To maintain their public personas, most church leaders kept any “backstage” personal struggles far from the front stage of ministry.
That has changed significantly. By talking more about mental health, leaders are reversing the stigma. They’re showing by example that unhealthy levels of stress don’t need to become our new normal. We can—and should—find better ways to live. People now assume that leaders bear heavy loads and expect us to work through our own issues so we can serve effectively.
Despite these attitude shifts, many leaders still feel stretched to the breaking point. Burnout is so commonplace it feels inevitable. But it doesn’t have to be.
A Culture of Anxiety
According to recent studies, burnout disproportionately impacts pastors, ministry teams, and nonprofit leaders. Barna research indicates that many church leaders consider quitting due to exhaustion and isolation. This isn’t just a crisis of logistics, resources, or systems; it’s a crisis of being. Beneath the weariness lies a deeper issue: neglect of the soul.
In “A Failure of Nerve,” Edwin Friedman explains that effective leaders must develop an “unanxious presence”—the ability to remain steady, grounded, and calm amid pressure, uncertainty, and chaos. An unanxious presence isn’t about stoicism or mere grit. It’s about the deep-rooted peace and clarity that flow from tending to one’s soul. This is the future of leadership and, in many ways, the future of work.
When leaders operate from a place of wholeness and peace, they emulate Jesus in ways that words alone cannot. In an age of anxiety, fractured relationships, and constant noise, such leaders offer witness to what is possible when we stay anchored to the unseen. While facing life’s pressures, we can model how to cling to unforced rhythms of grace. We can stand firm, knowing that God is with us and for us. We can move calmly, drawing others to follow not out of obligation but because they sense truth.
The Importance of Soul Care
The urgency of this moment isn’t just about solving external problems. The church needs grounded leaders who operate from peace, not exhaustion or performance. But willpower and clever strategies aren’t the answer. We must be willing to go deeper, slow down, and listen.
That’s where spiritual direction comes in. For centuries, spiritual directors have walked alongside people to discern God’s presence. Their role isn’t to fix but to listen, guide, and help leaders pay attention to the state of their souls. Rooted in the rhythms of silence, reflection, and prayer, this training offers a lifeline for leaders.
Evidence of burnout is everywhere. Despite running on empty, with dry and brittle inner lives, leaders feel compelled to keep producing and showing up. But the costs of that approach—disconnection, cynicism, and eventual collapse—are high.
Thankfully, burnout doesn’t have to be the end of the story. It can be a wake-up call to return to what matters most. The antidote to burnout isn’t working harder or resting temporarily; instead, leaders must embrace rhythms of soul care. They must learn to “lead themselves first,” tending to their own souls so they can sustain the work God calls them to do.
Jesus modeled this, withdrawing to solitary places to pray, listen, and find renewal. He was driven by purpose and peace, not external pressure. Jesus embodied the unanxious presence and invites us to do the same.
Leaders of the Future
Tomorrow’s leaders won’t necessarily be the most charismatic, innovative, or impressive. They will be grounded, resilient, and whole. They will have done the hard, beautiful work of soul-tending.
