The need for replenishment among pastors and ministry leaders has never been more evident.
Barna Group research reveals that the percentage of pastors who say they are “very satisfied” with their vocation has declined from 72 percent in 2015 to 52 percent in 2026—a 20-point decline that emotional conditions alone have not addressed. Pastors and ministry leaders commonly experience loneliness and isolation. Moreover, many vocational pastors have considered leaving full-time ministry, with a majority identifying the immense stress of ministry as a contributing factor.
Behind those unsatisfying statistics are real people. Real pastors. Real missionaries. Real ministry leaders. Real families. And that’s exactly why RPLNISH exists.
My friend, you deserve to replenish.
I recently had the privilege of leading a RPLNISH trip in the beautiful Colorado Rockies of Jefferson, Colorado. Around the table, pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders from different parts of the country were given something many ministry leaders rarely receive: permission to stop, breathe, reconnect with God, build friendships, and simply be.
It reminded me of the story of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9.
From Lo Debar to the King’s Table
Mephibosheth was living unsatisfied in Lo Debar… a place associated with desolation, isolation, and lack. He had lost both his father, Jonathan, and his grandfather, Saul. Then, following a tragic accident when he was a child, he was dropped by his nurse and became crippled in both feet.
Mephibosheth’s unfortunate circumstances had profoundly shaped his identity, yet his value as a son of Jonathan and member of the royal family had never changed. Mephibosheth was too valuable to lose.
David didn’t wait for Mephibosheth to find his way back to the palace table. The king went looking for him, brought him out of Lo Debar, restored his inheritance, and gave him a permanent place at the king’s table. This story echoes the heart of RPLNISH.
In the same way, we can all find ourselves in our own version of Lo Debar… tired, worn out, burned out (or burning out), discouraged, alone, spiritually dry, or simply running on empty. Nonetheless, your current location does not determine your identity. Lo Debar may be where you are, but it is not who you are.
My friend, you deserve to replenish.
The King still sees you. He still pursues you. And there is still a place for you to replenish at His table. In 2 Samuel 9:7 (NIV), King David tells Mephibosheth:
“I will surely show you kindness… I will restore to you… and you will always eat at my table.”
What Happens Around the RPLNISH Table?
That’s exactly what we witnessed in Jefferson.
When we intentionally create space for ministry leaders to step away from the unrelenting demands of ministry, something beautiful happens. Souls begin to breathe. Conversations deepen. Laughter returns. Vision gets renewed. Friendships form. Most importantly, leaders remember that they are free to rest. They don’t have to languish alone or continue carrying burdens that were never meant to be carried alone.
When we asked the men, “What was the most meaningful or impactful part of your RPLNISH experience?” their responses captured the heart of what happened around the table:
“Connecting with my brothers.”
“This was a refreshing moment and helped me focus better on things with peace of mind.”
“Meeting everyone from different parts of the nation.”
“Alone time.”
“Wow, there was so much. The fellowship… the sessions… the food… and of course, the fly fishing!”
And perhaps this response captures the impact of what happens around the RPLNISH table best:
“The ability to be replenished created by the leader, to not have an agenda, and providing the opening to be free.”
That’s the gift. Not another meeting. Not another ministry strategy. Not another expectation to perform. Just space to reconnect with God, experience carefree timelessness, and enjoy genuine brotherhood.
There’s Room at the Table for You
Mephibosheth’s physical condition didn’t suddenly disappear, but his position changed. He went from hiding to belonging, from Lo Debar to the king’s table. That’s an important reminder for every pastor and ministry leader: you don’t have to have everything figured out before you come to the table and replenish.
You can come tired. You can come wounded. You can come uncertain. You can come exactly as you are. Because at His table, the King of kings promises:
“I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” –Jeremiah 31:25 (ESV)
When one pastor or ministry leader becomes healthier, the impact doesn’t stop with them. It reaches their family, their church, and their community. Healthy pastors lead healthy churches. Sometimes, the first step toward becoming healthier is simply having the courage to pull up a chair. Be encouraged, there’s room at the table for you.
My friend, you deserve to replenish.
Works Cited:
Barna Group. (2026, July 6). What Relieves Pastoral Burnout—and What Doesn’t. Retrieved from Barna: https://www.barna.com/research/what-relieves-pastoral-burnout/