Faith
A Path to Restoration for Weary Pastors
Faith Facts
- 42% of Protestant pastors have seriously considered leaving full-time ministry in the past year, up from 29% in 2021.
- Chronic stress, isolation, and political tensions are primary contributors to pastor burnout.
- The new book, ‘Wholehearted Leadership,’ encourages leaders to seek emotional honesty and spiritual rest in Christ.
Many pastors are quietly suffering from emotional, spiritual, and relational exhaustion. Recent research reveals that significant numbers of church leaders are contemplating leaving ministry due to overwhelming stress and lack of support.
A striking 42% of Protestant pastors reported in 2025 that they’ve seriously thought about resigning, pointing to an urgent crisis. Many feel isolated and struggle with declining hope for the future of their congregations.
Despite fulfilling their calling and managing finances well, pastors lag behind the general population in emotional and relational well-being. More than half have no mentors or counselors to turn to for guidance or encouragement.
“Pastors traditionally don’t feel comfortable for a number of different reasons to seek out counseling, to seek out mentoring. You know it needs to be OK within a Church community and the Church culture for a pastor to say, ‘you know what? I need help.’ I need some counselling. I’m struggling emotionally.”
“But to be quite frank, for whatever reason, a lot of pastors don’t feel comfortable being vulnerable within a leadership context. I really think that churches need to communicate and say, ‘Hey pastor, it’s OK not to be OK.’”
Christian coaches Simon and Ceri Harris have addressed this crisis with their new book, ‘Wholehearted Leadership.’ Their work, rooted in years of service and ministry, identifies a deep need for leaders to move beyond outward success to genuine inner wholeness through Christ.
They observe, “For all the ‘success’ many live with disappointment, stress and a feeling that their personal relationships, including with themselves, are not where they want them to be.”
“As we describe in the book there is a ‘dis-ease of the heart’. The pressure to keep performing, to hold it all together, was quietly eroding their joy, sense of calling and connection with self.”
“Leaders juggle many hats: preacher, pastor, planner, mentor all while carrying the hopes, hurts, and struggles of the people they serve. It’s sacred work, but it often feels lonely and relentless.”
Instead of offering another program, Wholehearted Leadership invites leaders into rest and restoration that only Jesus can provide. The Harris’ vision calls for authentic leadership marked by emotional honesty and trust in God’s sufficiency.
They explain, “The old model of the solo heroic leader who has all the answers is giving way to something more human and relational. We’re seeing a shift toward authenticity, emotional intelligence, and shared leadership.”
They further ask, “People are asking: ‘Who is this leader becoming? Are they trustworthy? Do they listen? Do they lead from integrity or image?’”
Simon and Ceri remind us, “That’s why the inner life matters. Leadership is not about outcomes. It’s about presence, posture, and how we show up.”
They believe Jesus is calling weary leaders to draw near to Him for rest and renewal, encouraging pastors to seek support and love themselves as Christ commanded. The Church must come alongside its shepherds, fostering healthy, Christ-centered leadership for the sake of the body.
Let us lift up our spiritual leaders in prayer and encourage them to seek the wholeness and rest Jesus promises, as we stand firm for faith, family, and freedom in our communities.