Who tows the tow truck?
Who saves the hero?
Better yet still, who pastors the pastor?
Who can pastors run to when they are going through a divorce, the death of a loved one, or a terminal illness? Who will listen when they, too, are having struggles with faith, doubt, guilt, or shame? Who should they discuss their everyday struggles involving fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts?
Many times, a pastor has no one to turn to.
Pastors have many things on their plates at any given time, which include but are not limited to preparing for Sunday sermons, visiting the sick and shut-in, and performing funeral rites. The expectation is to be perfect experts in their fields, with no struggles of their own, to know all of the answers to congregations’ questions about life. The load is far too much, and the burnout is far too real.
Pastoral Burnout
According to the survey study by Barna Group, 42% of pastors have considered leaving full-time ministry as of March 2022.
Yes, they may have other pastors or more experienced mentors and leaders to speak to, but the question to ponder is: Are they speaking to each other only about church logistics or also about the physical, mental, and emotional toil of ministry? Based on the same survey study by Barna Group, the top 3 reasons Pastors have considered leaving full-time ministry are due to 1) the immense stress of the job, 2) feeling lonely and isolated, and 3) current political divisions.
Society does not allow pastors to be humans. However, when the helper needs help, we need to make sure to give them the space to take off their capes.
The situation is dire, and that’s where counseling and therapy come in.
According to Dr. Jessica Lammers, Psychiatrist & Assistant Professor at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Counseling, counseling and (psycho) therapy are often used interchangeably. However, there are some differences. Counseling tends to be focused on one specific issue and considered a short-term treatment,” she describes, “…[while] psychotherapy tends to treat a broader range of issues and more complex problems. It can be a long-term treatment.” – (https://health.osu.edu/health/mental-health/therapy-vs-counseling-is-there-a-difference)
5 Reasons why a Pastor could benefit from therapy
There are many things to consider as to which treatment may be right for you, but here are a few reasons why a Pastor may benefit from therapy or counseling.
- Personal Growth: Counseling or therapy can help pastors grow emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. It can help them develop greater self-awareness, empathy, and compassion for others.
- Mental Health: Pastors may benefit from counseling or therapy for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, and trauma.
- Relationship Issues: Pastors may struggle with interpersonal conflicts or relationship issues in their personal and professional lives. Counseling or therapy can help them navigate these issues and develop healthier relationships.
- Leadership Challenges: Pastors often carry a significant amount of responsibility in their roles as leaders. Counseling or therapy can help them develop greater self-confidence, improve communication skills, and learn effective strategies for managing stress and conflict.
- Spiritual Concerns: Pastors may benefit from counseling or therapy for spiritual concerns such as doubts, questions, or struggles with faith. It can help them deepen their spiritual practice and develop a stronger sense of connection with God.
Overall, counseling and therapy can provide another outlet for healing and release. It will give Pastors the space to fall, get back up, and come back stronger. It will help pastors to be human.
If you are a Pastor, I pray this post gives you insight into the importance of your mental health. Whether you want a Christian or non-religious counselor/therapist or not, the choice is also yours. There is no judgment. Below, please find additional resources to help you on your journey of being a better you.
Resources:
- Gravity Leadership https://gravityleadership.com/pastor-emotional-health/
- American Association of Christian Counselors: https://www.aacc.net/
- Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation: https://www.ccef.org/
- National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help/index.shtml
- Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
- The American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/
Well said and very true. I pray all ministers, not just pastors, take note and find an experienced counselor/therapist to whom they can confide in and be real with. As you’ve shared, there’s so much more to life than just church agendas.
This is such an important point. ALL leaders in the church need support. Even therapists have therapists.