Research report
Burning Out in Ministry
Research insights from the Flourishing in Ministry Project — Matt Bloom, PhD, University of Notre Dame.
Download the ReportWhat is inside
Burnout is not the same as a hard week. It is a chronic condition that builds slowly, and most pastors do not see it coming. This report explains what burnout is, what causes it, and what actually helps.
- Burnout is more common than it looks. Between one-quarter and one-third of the pastors surveyed were experiencing high to severe levels of burnout.
- It arrives quietly. Pastors describe burnout as something that creeps up on them. Most are not aware they are experiencing it until it is well underway.
- Six root causes. High work demands, low control, strained relationships, unfair treatment, poor fit between pastor and congregation, and insufficient compensation.
- Prevention beats treatment. Stress management training, contemplative practices, and better working conditions do more than treating burnout once it is advanced.
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Free to download, and free to share with your team, board, or judicatory.
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