Let’s Change the Statistics in Pastoral Health

February 19th, 2025
by Mark Jones, SCBO revitalization consultant

Have you ever felt like you were all alone or like no one would understand your situation?

In 2023 at the SBC Annual Convention, a resolution entitled, “On Needed Care and Support for Pastors and Ministry Leaders” passed. One of the paragraphs says:

“WHEREAS, The reality of internal struggles among spiritual leaders has reached a critical point, with current research indicating that 42% of pastors are thinking of leaving the ministry in the next year, 80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families, 75% of pastors have reported a significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry, and 70% of pastors do not have someone they consider to be a close friend.”

If this is true of Ohio, more than 250 of our pastors are contemplating leaving the ministry, more than 480 pastors believe that pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families, more than 450 pastors have experienced a stress-related crisis, and more than 420 pastors do not believe they have a close friend.

I can remember times of isolation, stress, and even depression. I remember being hospitalized and not realizing stress was the real issue. I found a coach, a mentor, and even a few friends.

Over the past three years, the SCBO has been working hard to “Prioritize the pastor because the church is God’s plan.” This is a core value of SCBO. If the pastor is not healthy, the church will not be either.

SCBO is investing in you and your congregation to help bring you back to health. Around the state, we provide free resilience coaching and revitalization coaching to help you in your journey.

There are biblical counselors available as well. We also have a customizable process to walk your congregation through a path to health and growth. All of this to say, YOU MATTER, and you do not have to feel alone.

In the coming weeks and months, there will be help and hope around the state. On March 7-8, in Cuyahoga Falls, Dr. Richard Blackaby will share concentrated sessions on the “Ways of God”. A bonus post-lunch session with Dr. Bill Kirkwood on worship will be provided as well.

On May 16-17 in Bedford, join us for the annual Lead Well Conference - http://mtcalvaryofbedford.org/events/lead-well-conference. Will you pray with me for the congregations in your association, region, and state to partner together for a greater kingdom impact?

Will you take a moment to encourage another pastor right now? If I can be of any assistance to you or your congregation, please email me at mjones@scbo.org or check out www.scbo.org/revitalize.

Posted in Revitalization