Rainer on Leadership The Loneliness Epidemic Among Pastors
Research from Barna reveals the top two reasons pastors consider quitting are stress and loneliness. This same study demonstrated an increase in pastoral loneliness—from 42% of pastors saying they felt frequently or sometimes lonely in 2015 to 65% of pastors in 2023. The church is supposed to be a place of belonging and hope, but many church leaders experience the opposite—isolation and discouragement. Josh and Sam examine this problem and offer their solutions.
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- The people you lead—by design—are not supposed to solve your problems.
- There is an expectation that pastors must always have the answers and be spiritually strong.
- Compassion fatigue can accumulate over months and years.
- You are surrounded by people, but few can relate to the most difficult aspects of ministry.
- Create a standing meeting with a mentor or coach in ministry.
- Enjoy friendship with those inside the church without placing unreasonable expectations on them.
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Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others.
But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation.
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- A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel.
- Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff.
- Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them.
- Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel.
Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation.
He knew exactly where to turn.
Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship.
Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.
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