Many pastors face loneliness, burnout, and heavy workloads while navigating conflict and caring for others. That’s why prioritizing personal wellness is essential. When pastors care for themselves, they are better equipped to lead and serve. The Kentucky Baptist Convention is committed to praying for our pastors and providing resources that support their health, resilience, and flourishing in ministry.
We want to support church leaders in their personal walk with God through coaching and resources.
Sample Sabbatical policies for churches to consider
“5 Steps to Your First Sabbatical” by Mark Dance
“5 Ways to Mess Up a Sabbatical” by Mark Dance
Spiritual Vitality
Lead on Podcast with Jeff Iorg – “Raising the Level of Spiritual Vitality in your Church”
Lead on Podcast with Jeff Iorg – “Sustaining Your Passion for Ministry”
Lead on Podcast with Jeff Iorg – “Self-Care versus Self-Indulgence”
Screen accountability: Covenant Eyes
Fight pornography as a healing church
“I’m a Pastor struggling with porn. What do I do?”
“Pornography use grows among Christians”
We want to support and encourage the physical wellbeing of church leaders through resources, challenges, and coaching.
Here are some key physical wellness benchmarks for pastors, along with insights and strategies to promote a healthier and more fulfilling ministry:
Goal: Engage in regular physical activity (150 minutes per week).
Strategy: Incorporate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity into your weekly schedule. Consider activities you enjoy, such as walking, jogging, cycling, or team sports, to increase the likelihood of consistency.
Prioritize rest and sleep:
Goal: Aim for adequate and restful sleep (7-9 hours each night).
Strategy: Evaluate your bedtime routine and sleep environment to promote better sleep quality.
Goal: Strive for a healthy weight and Body Mass Index (BMI).
Strategy: Implement strategies for sustainable weight management, including balanced nutrition and regular physical activity. Combine meal/activity tracking with appropriate accountability.
Goal: Understand the stressors that impact your health.
Strategy: Develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress management, such as healthy friendships, engaging in hobbies, and social support.
Goal: Prioritize self-care as a vital component of pastor wellness.
Strategy: Engage in self-care activities such as setting healthy boundaries, taking time for rest and relaxation, participating in hobbies and interests outside of ministry, and getting appropriate medical care and evaluations. Recognize that self-care is not selfish but a necessary practice to maintain effectiveness in ministry.
We want to help church leaders by promoting pastoral friendships, hosting recreational events, and providing ministry retreat information.
Pastoral Mental Health Wellness Checklist for Church Leadership
KBC has a Counseling Fund to assist pastors with the cost of counseling. Contact Sara Robinson at sara.robinson@kybaptist.org or 502-498-3382.
Many pastors confide that they are both lonely and discouraged. Most pastors do not have someone they consider to be a close friend. If you would benefit from a fellowship/cohort group, we will help you connect in a Pastor Care Cohort.
Sign up for a Pastor Care Cohort
If you would like to be connected with a seasoned pastor who desires to encourage younger pastors and offer advice as needed, sign up below.
If you are willing to connect with a younger pastor to provide encouragement and advice, as requested, sign up below.
Click on the resources below to access discounted and ministry-specific retreat opportunities.
Lead on Podcast with Jeff Iorg – “The Importance of Relationships for Leaders”
Lead on Podcast with Jeff Iorg – “Developing Relationships for Ministry Leaders”
Through our partnership with GuideStone, we want to equip church leaders with short and long-term financial guidance. Additionally, through the Kentucky Baptist Foundation, we can provide assistance with wills and trusts.
We want to assist church leaders in their ministry calling through coaching, conflict management, seminars, and resources.
Find articles, podcasts and resources to assist pastors serving in new ministry settings get off to a good start.
Many pastors confide that they are both lonely and discouraged. Most pastors do not have someone they consider to be a close friend. If you would benefit from a fellowship/cohort group, we will help you connect in a Pastor Care Cohort.
The Pastor care line — dedicated exclusively to Southern Baptist pastors and their wives, chaplains and missionaries — is toll-free at 1-844-PASTOR1. Calls are answered by Focus on the Family Help Center and remain completely confidential. No information about the pastor or the church will be provided to KBC or NAMB.