Peace in the Storm Retreat

Though ministers are subject to the same problems as lay people, implementing solutions is complicated by the unusual nature of ministry life. Few other professionals face the same demands in the same way. Clergy researchers have noted three unique challenges:

The High Cost of a High Calling

Most ministers begin their service with a sense that God has called them and their work has eternal significance, beyond just a way to make a living. It is often accompanied by high ideas and confidence in their “calling.” Yet this “high calling” comes at a high cost. Being on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and rarely taking vacations makes many stress management inaccessible. Most young ministers are also caught off guard by the spiritual, emotional and even relational demands.

It’s Lonely at the Top

Statistics consistently show that ministers are among the loneliest people in the community. This goes for their families as well. Though they are often among the most high profile people in the church and town the nature of clergy life, and the realities of political and social conflicts makes it difficult for them to find meaningful relationships so vital for support and encouragement. They are also notoriously vulnerable to avoiding in depth relationships for various reasons. The combination makes them at risk for isolation.

Burning Out

As these and other factors combine with the unusual stresses of shepherding a congregation of often troubled people, at times the stress becomes too much. Though most ministers are so devoted to their calling they do not view themselves as quitters, there come moments when they cannot go on—either for emotional, spiritual or even physical reasons.

All these challenges can collide in a kind of “perfect storm” of clergy stress. Any of the individual issues would itself be serious. Combine them and it becomes destructive. Increasing numbers of clergy look for solutions in the wrong places, indulging in “self-medication” strategies pornography, alcohol use, opioid pain medications and other potentially lethal activities.