The Rising Challenge of Clergy Burnout in Divisive Religious Communities: A Summit Provides Solutions

38

Each day commences with Rev. Karna Moskalik engaging in a “centering” regimen that includes prayer, studying the Bible, uttering affirmative statements, and contemplating optimal outcomes for the day’s responsibilities. This also includes the act of lighting a scented candle and moving through every area of her Lutheran church.

“Work appears to be incessant, but reinforcing my grounding routine has become crucial; otherwise, I feel completely unproductive,” said Moskalik, who is the daughter of a pastor and has been at the helm of the 700-member Our Savior’s congregation in a small riverside town for four years.

Such a commitment to faith-centered self-care is precisely what experts recommend for many clergy to stave off symptoms of burnout and declining mental well-being, including anxiety and depression.

“Faith communities are increasingly burdened by mental health issues,” stated Jamie Aten, a professor at Wheaton College and co-founder of Spiritual First Aid. He is aiding in the organization of a complimentary one-day virtual “Church Mental Health Summit” scheduled for Tuesday, which has already attracted approximately 9,000 participants from more than 100 nations. Attendees can access 60 pre-recorded discussions from experts.

---

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article discusses topics related to suicide. Support is available through the national suicide and crisis lifeline by calling or texting 988. Online chat is also available at 988lifeline.org.

---

In the modern landscape, faith leaders are increasingly assuming caregiving roles across various sectors in the U.S., such as academic campuses, military services, and rural areas. Yet, the perpetual emotional toll from bearing others’ trauma presents a unique stress factor, making pastoral work exceptionally demanding. Research suggests that about one-third of clergy members experience symptoms of burnout, according to Rev. Chris Adams, leader of the Mental Health and the Church Initiative at Biola University.

“Clergy often attach spiritual importance to their roles, making their work an all-encompassing endeavor,” said Adams, who is a Methodist minister and clinical psychologist. “There is a societal expectation for them to be perpetually available, providing pastoral counsel at any hour and any place.”

Additionally, congregants frequently feel entitled to pass judgments even on mundane aspects of a pastor’s personal life, according to Kay Warren, a mental health advocate and co-founder of Saddleback, a Californian evangelical megachurch.

“The expectations are overwhelming, ranging from administrative tasks like church growth to providing pastoral care without having the emotional space to manage personal reactions to traumatic experiences,” said Alex Lang, a former Presbyterian pastor who resigned due to burnout. Lang found therapy helpful in navigating unresolved trauma, but there remains a stigma for many clergy in seeking mental health services.

---

The challenge is formidable, especially when unaddressed emotional strain can have a detrimental effect not just on religious leaders but also on their communities. Effective coping mechanisms include not just spirituality but also concrete, action-oriented approaches to mental and physical health, say experts.

Strategies for addressing these challenges are paramount, given research showing that as many as one-third of leaders from Abrahamic faith traditions experience traumatic stress, a rate that even surpasses that found in the military, noted Steven Sandage, a professor of psychology of religion and theology at Boston University.

Clergy must therefore find a balance, drawing deeply from their spiritual calling while also caring for themselves as individuals. “One must take charge of the aspects one can control and leave the uncontrollable to a higher power,” advised Warren.

---

This religion coverage is supported by the AP’s partnership with The Conversation US, made possible through funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP retains full responsibility for the content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about clergy burnout

More about clergy burnout

• Church Mental Health Summit
• Wheaton College – Jamie Aten
• Biola University – Mental Health and the Church Initiative
• Duke University’s Clergy Health Initiative
• Common Table Collaborative
• Spiritual First Aid
• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• Saddleback Church – Kay Warren
• United Church of Christ – Katie O’Dunne