Strong ministry and wellbeing work together

Ishbel Straker looks at guarding your wellbeing in ministry.

There is a deep sensitivity required in the role of a minister. You are called to empathise with individuals while considering the needs of the wider congregation ‒ all the while maintaining focus on the message you carry.

At times, this can feel like being pulled in different directions, or as many describe it, ‘stretched’.

But sensitivity is not a fixed resource; it is shaped by the condition of our own mental and emotional health.

Research shows that chronic stress and emotional fatigue can significantly alter our capacity for empathy. When we are under pressure, sleep-deprived, or carrying unresolved trauma, our sensitivity can become hypervigilant ‒ we overreact, take everything personally, or feel constantly on edge.

Conversely, when exhaustion or burnout sets in, our sensitivity dulls, leaving us emotionally numb and detached, ministering out of habit rather than genuine care.

The challenge is that either extreme can occur on any given day. In ministry, depletion can become the norm rather than the exception, leading many to question their calling. Psychiatric studies indicate that persistent emotional depletion without restorative practices increases the risk of burnout, anxiety and depression, which in turn can reduce vocational satisfaction and effectiveness.

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