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Navigating the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Identity and Well-Being
Pastors and church staff face unique challenges including conflating their identities as both children of God and employees of God, making it difficult to separate personal well-being from the church's well-being. Moving from an associate pastor to a lead pastor intensifies the personal nature of challenges, leading to increased anxiety and the struggle to differentiate between personal and professional spheres. Despite the assumption that ministry is wonderful due to witnessing the transformative power of God, the reality includes personal struggles and pressures. Building long-lasting relationships within the local church is valued for the sacredness of bearing witness to each other's lives through joys and sorrows, making the work truly holy and fulfilling for pastors.