Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews

When Pastors Feel Alone: The Mental Health Struggle in Ministry


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Michael is joined by Joe Jensen, former pastor and Senior VP at Barna Group, to discuss sobering new research about the mental health of today's church leaders.

Barna's latest data reveals a staggering truth: nearly 1 in 5 Protestant senior pastors in the U.S. have contemplated self-harm or suicide in the past year. Joe brings firsthand experience and deep insight into what’s behind the growing crisis—and how the church can respond.

 Key Highlights:

  • Loneliness in Leadership: Why pastors often feel isolated—even while surrounded by people.

  • Spiritual Burnout: How unrealistic expectations and lack of community can erode a pastor's well-being.

  • The Role of Elders & Boards: Rethinking leadership structures to better care for church leaders.

  • Changing the Scorecard: Redefining what “success” looks like for pastors and churches.

  • Practical Solutions: Mentorship, professional counseling, and local pastor-to-pastor connections as lifelines.

  • Congregational Care: The power of asking, “How are you really doing?” and praying with your pastor in person.

To explore Barna’s full research, visit: https://www.barna.com

🗣️ Let us know what you thought of the episode—tag us on social with #CrosswalkTalk and share your reflections.

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