In Scripture, pastors are often called shepherds—those entrusted to lead, feed and protect the flock. But what happens when the shepherds themselves start to get worn out?
We’re living in a time of cultural chaos and spiritual confusion. People are searching for meaning, for truth and for something steady in the swirl of a disoriented world. And week after week, faithful shepherds are showing up—preaching, counseling, comforting, guiding. They’re leading the flock through trauma, conflict and heartache. But many are doing so on fumes.
The sheep may still be grazing. But too many shepherds are limping.
And, we need one another.
Many Pastors Struggle
The following chart from Barna shows a disturbing trend over a short period, no doubt exacerbated by 2020. We see significant drops in well-being across the board: over a 50% drop in “excellent physical well-being” and an even greater drop in “mental and emotional health.” This chart pictures what I see in regular conversations. Many pastors are struggling—and it reminds us that we need one another.
I’ve spent decades researching trends of churches in America, and (outside of the Covid years) we just don’t normally see this level of fatigue among pastors and ministry leaders. The pressures are mounting—cultural division, digital distractions and rising mental health struggles. But underneath it all is a spiritual weariness that’s hard to name and even more complicated to heal.
The fact is, the internet is raging, conflict has grown in culture, and we see more division in churches. You can understand why people are frustrated and weary.
Thankfully, a recent turn upward in pastoral confidence was reported by Barna, but levels remain well below the numbers from only a few years prior:
Healthy Shepherd, Healthy Flock
The health of the flock depends on the health of the shepherds. I’m joining scholars and church leaders like William Lane Craig, Ann Voskamp, Matt Chandler, Eric Geiger, John Townsend, and others as speakers at the ANCHORED Conference at Biola University in a couple of weeks. We will be focusing on restoring and renewing shepherds.
We’ll engage the head, the heart, and give practical steps for hands and feet, coming alongside pastors to love and encourage. Combining theological depth with soul-deep renewal, we’ll tackle hard issues like trauma, anxiety, addiction and the spiritual costs of modern ministry. We will provide spaces for pastors to be vulnerable and seek help personally. But most of all, we’ll remind leaders that their identity is not in their output, but in Christ.
It’s okay to need others. Because of Christ’s work, the indwelling Spirit, and the church, none of us has to stay that way. I’ve seen events like this literally rescue ministries of pastors.
Hope for the Future
And make no mistake: There is good work still being done. Even amid decades of decline in Christian affiliation, we’re starting to see glimmers of renewal—especially among Gen Z. Bible sales are rising, and first-time readers are engaging with Scripture. The “nones” appear to be leveling off. Spiritually curious young people are asking deeper questions. Unprecedented numbers of churched and unchurched are viewing Christian-themed media on many platforms.
