Pastoral Flourishing (Part 2 of 2)

In this final part of the State of the Church series on the well-being of today’s pastors, we take a closer look at the relational foundations that shape pastoral life.

Explore how the unique pressures of ministry impact pastors’ marriages, parenting and support networks—plus, discover five key opportunities for supporting pastors more effectively. As you’ll see, a pastor’s relational health directly influences their ministry effectiveness and the communities they serve.

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Pastors Score Lower in Relationships Than Practicing Christians

Pastors average 67/100 in relational flourishing, Christians 85. Many congregants experience greater friendship/community than their pastors.

Ministry Guilt Strains Even Strong Pastoral Marriages

Though 76% of pastors call their spouse their best friend, nearly half feel guilty about ministry's impact on their marriage and worry their spouse faces pressure to behave a certain way.

Overall, Pastors Lack Professional Support Systems

Most pastors connect with peers informally, but half don't use professional services like counselors, spiritual advisors, or mentors.

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Trends in This Release:

Examine the state of pastors’ relationships and what their response—or lack thereof—reveals.
Get a glimpse of the areas pastors feel their families excel and where household rhythms and habits could be improved.
Discover some of the ways ministry guilt creeps into the marriages of today’s pastors.
Explore the distinct parenting challenges pastors face, from helping children navigate relationships to managing technology and mental health concerns.
Learn about the concerning gap between pastors’ need for support and their tendency to not seek professional help.
Get practical takeaways and next steps based on the research for addressing the needs of pastors revealed throughout this series.

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