Clergy Stress & Resilience In A Divided America: 2025 Survey
NPPNote: This is why the National Pastors' Prayer Network was founded nearly 30 years ago.
We were convinced that participation in a group, with pastoral/ministry colleagues,
birthed in (and for) prayer, would help pastors be renewed in spirit and strength.
That need has increased.
Pray must still be the empowering component.√
Phil Miglioratti
Our research identified five primary sources of support that enabled resilience for clergy.
- Support networks among fellow clergy (such as peer coaching groups and preaching mentors)
- Support networks within congregations (especially healthy governing boards)
- Support networks among family and friends outside of ministry
- Health and wellness practices (including spiritual direction, counseling, exercise, prayer and meditation, being in nature, and maintaining boundaries)
- Cultivating communal creativity amid tension to build resilience in congregations (such theatre, music, dance, writing, and deliberative dialogue)
Many respondents indicated that a combination of these supports sustained them for ministry. As one remarked, “I have received some fairly significant support from specific church members who are not leaders in the church. I’ve received lots of support from the wider community after starting a community organizing group on pro-democracy and anti-fascism.”
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