A recent study reveals a worrying decline in the overall well-being of pastors across the United States. Since 2015, a growing number of clergy report diminished respect from their communities, a scarcity of genuine friendships, and a significant decrease in their spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health.

The Barna Group, a faith-based research organization, conducted two surveys of Protestant senior pastors. The first, in 2015, involved 901 online interviews. The second, conducted in September 2022, included 585 interviews. The stark contrast between the two datasets paints a concerning picture.

The percentage of pastors reporting below-average mental and emotional health increased dramatically, rising from a mere 3% in 2015 to a concerning 10% in 2022. Conversely, those reporting excellent mental and emotional well-being plummeted from 39% to just 11% during the same period.

Physical well-being also suffered. In 2022, 22% of pastors rated their physical health as poor or below average, compared to only 7% in 2015. The proportion claiming excellent physical health decreased from 24% to a meager 9%.

Loneliness is another significant factor. The number of pastors feeling impoverished in terms of genuine friendships rose from 2% in 2015 to 7% in 2022. Those ranking themselves as below average in this area increased from 10% to 20%.

Emotional and mental exhaustion is also on the rise, impacting 32% of pastors in 2022, compared to 21% in 2015. Simultaneously, the perception of respect from community members has dwindled, with only 10% of pastors reporting excellent levels of respect in 2022, down from 22% in 2015.

These findings align with a previous Barna poll from March 2023, which revealed a substantial surge in pastoral burnout. A startling 42% of ministers contemplated leaving their calling due to overwhelming stress and isolation.

Experts suggest that the increasing politicization of social issues and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to this crisis. Pastors often find themselves grappling with complex issues outside their area of expertise, leading to increased pressure and burnout.

Mark Dance, a former pastor and current director of pastoral wellness at GuideStone, emphasizes the importance of pastors focusing on their core responsibilities—pastoral care, preaching, and service—to mitigate burnout. He believes that attempting to address every societal problem adds unnecessary strain and contributes to the desire to leave the ministry.