Loneliness is not just a pandemic-era buzzword—it is a deep, structural challenge facing pastors and church leaders today. Data from Barna Group and Gloo’s State of the Church initiative highlights significant trends in relational isolation and declining support systems among ministry leaders. Here’s a glimpse into the insights and implications.
Rising Isolation Among Pastors
According to Barna research, 65% of U.S. pastors now report feelings of loneliness and isolation, up dramatically from 42% in 2015. Among them, 18% experience this loneliness frequently frequently. Over seven years, feelings of being disconnected have surged, even as traditional support networks have weakened.
At the same time, sense of being well-supported has dropped: in 2015 nearly 70% of pastors said they frequently felt supported—but by 2022 that number dropped to 49%. Although 92% say they feel supported to some extent, the frequency of that support has waned waned. Pastoral friendships are thinning—and with them, key emotional anchors.
Why Loneliness Matters to Ministry Health
Loneliness doesn’t just affect personal well-being—it undermines pastoral resilience, vision, and leadership effectiveness. Without relational grounding, pastors may struggle with burnout, decision fatigue, and even spiritual dryness. Barna and Gloo emphasize relational flourishing as a core dimension alongside spiritual, vocational, physical, and emotional health health.
Moreover, the State of the Church initiative points to mental and emotional health trends not only among leaders, but also congregants—highlighting loneliness as a systemic issue. For example, among Gen Z, 28–29% report always or frequently feeling lonely, compared to just 4% of Elders. When leaders experience similar relational scarcity, it undermines their capacity to pastor congregations grappling with widespread isolation.
RELATED: WHAT IS THE STATE OF THE CHURCH AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
Layers of Loneliness: Structural & Hidden Barriers
Barna/Gloo research suggests several contributing factors to loneliness in ministry:
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Weak Support Systems
Even though most pastors still say they receive some support, the diminishing frequency and depth of that support leaves relational gaps in times of pressure and crisis. -
Cultural Pressure to Be Self‑Sufficient
Pastors often feel they need to carry burdens alone—especially in polarized cultures or congregational conflict. They may feel ill-equipped to address controversial topics like politics, justice, or race, compounding isolation. -
Lack of personal friend networks outside church life
While around 80% of pastors report being well-known by someone beyond their church context, that connection rarely translates into meaningful emotional support or shared accountability.
