Who Is Caring for Those Who Care for Others?

While in college in Northern California, I remember a conversation that has stayed with me for more than 30 years. One of our older professors looked at our class—young men and women preparing for ministry—and said clearly:

It created quite an uproar! We were young, enthusiastic, and convinced we were going to change the world. Surely, he could not be right. But now, 30 years later, I look back and think he very well may have been right. I have watched many friends leave the ministry. I have watched pastors become exhausted, discouraged, and wounded. I have seen leaders who once burned with passion, slowly lose their joy and step away, never really to be heard from again.

And the actual statistics are sobering, regarding those who serve in the ministry. Here is one to consider, 2026 research from the Barna group, where they found that 24% of U.S. senior Protestant pastors had seriously considered leaving full-time ministry within the previous year. That is 1 in 4 pastors.

Let that sink in for a minute! And behind that statistic is...

* A son or daughter created by God

* A husband or wife.

* A father or mother.

* A friend to many.

* A little league coach.

* A gym buddy.

* A hiking partner.

* A disc golf player.

Someone who once said, “Yes, Lord, I'll go.”

We Need to Care for Those Who Care for Others

Let us be honest for a moment, as THE CHURCH we have become good at celebrating what leaders accomplish—the sermons, baptisms, missions, church growth, and ministry victories. How many people are you running brother? But are we as good at caring for the person leading the ministry? We must ask the question quickly, before it is too late!

We must realize that calling does not make someone immune to exhaustion. Faith does not eliminate the need for community. And being a leader does not mean you never need someone to ask you, “How are you really doing?”

We need to become THE CHURCH that intentionally cares for those who spend their lives caring for others. So, what does that mean? Give me some practical things I can do, I want to help.

Well, I am glad you asked. Here are a few:

Praying for your leaders, not just their ministry, but their soul, marriage, and family.

Checking on them, asking how they are doing, not just how the church is doing.

Giving them permission to rest, before they must.

Creating safe relationships where leaders can be honest about their struggles.

Investing in soul care training & resources before a crisis occurs.

Supporting ministries that specialize in caring for wounded and weary leaders.

One organization doing important work on the front lines is Replenish. They are committed to helping pastors and ministry leaders live and lead from a healthy soul. I encourage you to learn more about their work and consider supporting what they are doing. I trust them immensely!

Learn more about Replenish

Who Is Saving Those Who Serve?

You may not be called to pastor. You may not have a ministry title. But you can pray. You can listen. You can encourage. You can give. You can make a phone call. You can become the person who notices when the person carrying everyone else needs someone to carry them. Simply open your eyes and watch closely, you will see what I am talking about.

Let us not wait until another leader walks away to ask what happened. Let us care for them before they break. Let us become THE CHURCH that does not simply send people into ministry, but helps them remain healthy, finish well, and fulfill the calling God has placed on their lives. Because those who spend their lives serving others deserve to be served, too.

Is it time for all of us to become part of the answer?

Sorry, I will jump down off my soap box now…

… I got a call from minister friend down the street that needs to chat!

More work to do…

COMMITTED TO BECOMING THE ANSWER.

James Seiler, guest blogger and friend of RPLNISH

You can find James on the internet here The Minister’s Friend