Self-Care and Soul Care: The Mental Health Lifeline for Pastors and Ministry Leaders

 

Ministry leaders are often celebrated for their strength, endurance, and spiritual resilience—but rarely is there public space to acknowledge the toll it takes to consistently show up for others. In the quiet corners of leadership, many pastors and ministry workers suffer from exhaustion, emotional fatigue, and spiritual dryness. These are not signs of failure; they are signs of being human.

This blog explores the critical importance of both self-care and soul care, the differences between them, and why both are vital for the health of anyone serving in ministry.

 

What is the Difference Between Self-Care and Soul Care?

Self-Care refers to the intentional practices that support your physical, emotional, and mental health. It includes:

  • Regular rest and sleep
  • Balanced nutrition
  • Physical exercise
  • Counseling or therapy
  • Setting boundaries with people and tasks
  • Enjoying hobbies or time away from ministry obligations

Soul Care focuses on nurturing your spiritual well-being and your relationship with God. This includes:

  • Prayer and stillness
  • Reading and meditating on Scripture
  • Spiritual direction or mentorship
  • Worship and time in God’s presence
  • Confession and soul reflection

Why both are essential:
Self-care helps you stay grounded and emotionally healthy. Soul care keeps you rooted in your identity in Christ and aligned with your divine purpose. When one is neglected, the other will eventually suffer.

 

What Scripture Says About Caring for the Whole Self

  • Mark 1:35 – “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
    Jesus modeled soul care through solitude, reflection, and communion with God.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?... Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
    Your physical well-being is part of your spiritual stewardship.
  • Psalm 23:3 – “He restores my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
    God is deeply concerned with our soul’s restoration, not just our spiritual output.
  • Matthew 11:28-29 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest... you will find rest for your souls.”
    Jesus offers soul care to all who are weary—leaders included.

 

The Mental Health Crisis Among Ministry Leaders

Key Statistics:

  • 42 percent of pastors considered quitting full-time ministry in 2022 due to burnout, stress, and isolation. (Barna Group, 2022)
  • 52 percent of ministry leaders report they rarely or never talk about their mental health with anyone. (Soul Shepherding, 2023)
  • 18 percent of pastors have seriously considered suicide at some point in their life. (Church and Mental Health, 2024)

These numbers are sobering. They also reveal the urgent need for pastors and ministry leaders to prioritize their personal well-being without guilt or shame.

 

Why Leaders Struggle to Prioritize Care

  • Fear of appearing weak
  • Pressure to meet expectations
  • Lack of personal boundaries
  • The myth that sacrifice always means saying yes
  • Guilt about stepping away or slowing down

But neglecting care is not sacrificial—it’s unsustainable.

 

Practical Ways to Prioritize Both Self-Care and Soul Care

  1. Schedule a weekly Sabbath: A full day to rest, reflect, and reset.
  2. Build a care team: Therapist, spiritual director, mentor, and trusted friends.
  3. Set clear boundaries: With time, responsibilities, and emotional energy.
  4. Normalize vulnerability: Share your struggles with a safe community.
  5. Create daily rhythms: Morning devotion, afternoon walks, evening wind-down.

 

Recommended Resources

  • Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa TerKeurst
  • Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro
  • Soul Keeping by John Ortberg
  • Soul Shepherding – Tools for soul health in ministry
  • Church and Mental Health – Advocacy and mental health training
  • Barna Group – Research and statistics on pastors and churches

 

Final Reflection

Ministry is meaningful, but it should not come at the cost of your mind, your body, or your soul. Caring for yourself is not a betrayal of your calling—it is an act of obedience and wisdom. When you are well, your ministry will be fruitful and sustainable.

 

Call to Action

Today, commit to one act of self-care and one act of soul care. Whether that’s a 20-minute nap or 15 minutes of silence with God, start building rhythms that refill you.
You are not just a vessel to be poured out. You are a beloved child of God who also needs to be filled.

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