I am a pastor, and I help mentor pastors who are starting out in the ministry. Many are experiencing stress and burnout as well as challenges to their emotional and spiritual well-being. What can we do to better support pastors?

First, I want to thank you for your service to the ministry and for helping mentor and train the next generation of pastors and leaders. October is Clergy Appreciation Month, and so we say thank-you to all our clergy who honor the call to share the gospel and lead their congregations toward Christ (1 Tim. 5:17).

Second, we should all recognize that pastors shoulder a great deal of responsibility. First and foremost, they are responsible for teaching the Word of God. In addition, they may have many other responsibilities: finances, providing care and counseling, and overseeing a church staff whether small or large. The role can be stressful, often requiring them to be on call 24 hours a day to respond to various crises, conflicts, and needs in their congregation. Unfortunately, this can lead to high levels of depression, anxiety, and burnout.

As a Christian counselor, I would suggest four ways we can help our pastors prevent burnout:

1. Encourage your pastor to have a healthy balance between ministry and life. Clergy have the tendency to put others’ needs ahead of their own. God has encouraged His people to make time for rest. Provide a way for your pastor to take some time off, maybe by volunteering to take over some responsibilities (Ex. 34:21).
2. Express your thankfulness. “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Prov. 16:24). Too often, our pastors hear mainly criticisms and complaints. Why not send an encouraging email to your pastor or drop an appreciative note in the mail today?
3. Pray for your pastor. This may seem too obvious, but people in ministry need our prayer support (2 Thess. 1:11). Ask your pastor how you can pray for him and make a point to include him on your prayer list.
4. Help your pastor find community.It is extremely helpful for a pastor to have someone to talk to, someone who understands the demands of the ministry (Eccl. 4:9). Supporting your pastor by providing time away or the funds needed to attend a pastors conference or retreat can reap great rewards.