The stressed-out pastor

My family will tell you I loved the 34 years I pastored four great churches. For Jeanne, the girls, and me, it truly felt like a constant honeymoon — serving together and doing life with faithful followers of Christ.

I’m also grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Tennessee Baptist churches over the past 16 years through our calling with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

But research consistently shows pastoral ministry is a high-stress vocation, marked by burnout, emotional exhaustion, and ongoing pressure. A 2025 study found 70% of pastors feel burned out at least monthly, 85% report significant personal stress, and 55% experience emotional exhaustion.

Those numbers are not theoretical to me. I suffered heart attacks in 2018 and again in 2023. Thankfully, there was no lasting damage. After stents, rigorous cardiac rehab, and sustained exercise, my heart is now strong.

Through this journey, I’ve learned how deeply stress affects the body, soul, and spirit. It was a major factor in my heart attacks. Decades of fried chicken and a fondness for Little Debbie didn’t help, but unmanaged stress is life-threatening. One result is that the fruit of the Spirit becomes less evident in our lives.

During rehab, a nurse explained the connection between stress and heart attacks. Her research supported by the Yale School of Medicine, the Cleveland Clinic, and the Mayo Clinic showed chronic stress elevates adrenaline and cortisol, which over time can destabilize plaque, block arteries, and lead to myocardial infarctions — commonly known as heart attacks.

I’m not alone. Too many pastors, ministry leaders, and others have experienced stress-induced heart attacks. Some have not survived. If we want to extend our years of service to the Lord, we must take responsibility for our health.

One way to do that is to hush the rush and reduce stress by reclaiming the discipline of being alone with the Lord. It is one of the healthiest practices for your soul, spirit, and body.

Go beyond daily quiet times and consider a two- or three-day retreat. Scripture records more than 25 instances of Jesus stepping away from ministry pressures to be with his Father. Blaise Pascal observed, “All humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” One wonders what he would think about today’s constant noise of social media.

Another helpful practice is getting “off the grid” with others who share your calling. This isn’t a conference, but a setting to rest, laugh, and recharge. In recent years, I’ve spent a few days crappie fishing on Sardis Lake in Mississippi with fellow ministry leaders. It’s been both enjoyable and restorative.

Kevin Perrigin, manager at the TBMB’s Carson Springs Conference Center, launched Off the Grid opportunities in 2020 after recognizing the toll the pandemic was taking on pastors. Those experiences have had a meaningful impact. On the return trip from our first deep-sea fishing excursion, a pastor told me, “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”

Churches, consider covering the cost and sending your pastor or ministry leaders to an Off the Grid retreat. You will benefit from a spiritually, mentally, and physically refreshed leader.

Another step is joining a 545 Wellness Community led by TBMB’s Joe Sorah. We are hearing encouraging stories of pastors losing weight, establishing consistent exercise habits, and overcoming chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Visit TNBaptist.org/545 for more information.

Don’t wait for a health crisis to take action. Start today. Your life depends on it.

It is a joy to be with you on this journey. B&R