The Hidden Battle in Ministry: Mental Health
We often hear great stories of ministry successes—a church plant flourishes, a nonprofit celebrates its 50th anniversary, an entire unreached people group hears the gospel and is saved.
We also hear tragic stories of ministry failures—a church closes its doors, a well-known pastor has an affair, a nonprofit mishandles funds and loses its reputation.
But in between those stories—both the good and the bad—what we don’t hear about is the mental health of those running the ministry. The truth is, ministry and mental health rarely get mentioned together. Behind both successes and failures, mental health issues can affect those who serve, and it’s time we start talking about it.
Why Is Mental Health in Ministry Often Overlooked?
Addressing the reasons behind the lack of mental health support in ministry is complex. Many ministry leaders quietly struggle, fearing judgment or consequences. We want to start the conversation by highlighting our recent Instagram Live interview featuring Rebecca Gorman on the topic, “The Importance of Mental Health in Ministry.”
Rebecca serves as the Pray for Zero Journal Manager and has completed a counseling internship with Wycliffe Bible Translators. She recently graduated with her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. She has a heart for God’s people on the front lines, desiring them to walk in all the freedom and abundance God purchased for them—not only to proclaim it to others but to truly experience it themselves.
Rebecca shares encouragement and practical steps we can take to prioritize our mental health while serving in ministry. Watch the interview here.
The Stigma of Mental Health in Christian Communities
The cultural stigma around mental health is heightened in many Christian circles. Counseling is often seen as a last resort, only necessary in a crisis. Asking for help can be perceived as weakness. “You don’t need counseling, you just need to pray more, read your Bible more, and rebuke those negative thoughts.” While most Christians will not say these things out loud, it is the undercurrent of thought in many churches, ministries, and Christian communities. This stigma isolates leaders, making it difficult for them to admit when they need support.
The Reality of Isolation and Burnout in Ministry
It is not uncommon for those in ministry to struggle with isolation, weariness, and even burnout. Many feel they cannot ask for help out of fear of losing their ministry or position. A recent article from Christianity Today discusses the particular stress missionaries face, noting that even when mental health support is available, many prefer to suffer in silence rather than risk losing their position.
This “suffering in silence” has detrimental effects on their overall well-being. Other research highlights a startling reality: missionaries’ stress levels are two to three times higher than those of the average American, increasing the risk of major health problems.
Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Support in Ministry
For those in ministry who want help, finding the right support can be overwhelming. Missionaries, in particular, often live in remote areas where local counseling services are unavailable, or they lack reliable internet for virtual therapy.
In our Instagram Live interview, Rebecca Gorman addresses additional mental health challenges in ministry:
“We preach a gospel of a God who is nurturing, comforting, and invites us to come be with Him and rest. Yet ministers of the Gospel struggle to accept that comfort for themselves. Trauma plays a big part in this. They witness traumatizing events regularly, and over time, they disassociate just to keep going.”
She points out that prolonged disassociation can leave ministry leaders feeling disconnected, preaching a message of hope and refuge they are not experiencing personally.
Practical Steps to Prioritize Mental Health in Ministry
Rebecca’s words are filled with empathy and wisdom, reminding us how imperative mental health support is to a sustainable and flourishing ministry. She offers practical advice on how ministry leaders can begin to prioritize their mental health while serving others. In the interview, she addresses the following points:
- Common pitfalls in ministry related to mental health
- The root cause for why people in ministry often overlook the potential benefits of counseling
- How the avoidance of counseling may significantly contribute to burnout in ministry
- Practical steps to finding help and accessing mental health services
Watch the full interview here.
We pray for a world in which it is normal to need help and to be proactive with our mental health, both in ministry and in our day-to-day lives. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, we encourage you to first ask for referrals within your community of friends and family. Oftentimes, someone you know may know of a good counselor or may be able to point you in the right direction. If you are unable to find help through your community, try searching for “Christian counselors” or “Christian-based therapy” in your area.
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Who We Are:
Pray for Zero exists to accelerate Bible translation by rallying a global movement of prayer warriors committed to praying until every person has His Word in their heart language. We seek to encourage believers in their walk with the Lord, while also equipping you with tools to pray for the Bibleless. Learn more and join our movement of 61,000+ prayer warriors here.
As part of your daily time with God, you can pray through our weekly Prayer Journal where we share specific stories and prayer requests from around the world related to Bible translation. Subscribe to receive the Prayer Journal weekly in your inbox here.
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