The Pastor’s Care

One of the most overlooked issues in the church today is the welfare of the pastor. While he spends his life looking out for the welfare of the families in his congregation, who is looking out for him personally and his family? What systems, if any, have been put into place to provide for his spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial care? What provisions are in place to strengthen and enhance his marriage? 

While meeting and working with pastors individually, as well as in group meetings, the neglect of the welfare of the pastor is a very common finding. Most churches have absolutely nothing in place. 

Most pastors do not feel comfortable in addressing this issue with their leadership. We at Pastor to Pastor step in as an advocate for the pastor and address certain questions such as the following.

1. How much does the church spend annually on its mortgage?

2. How much does the church spend annually on its utilities?

3. How much does the church spend annually on its maintenance? 

4. How much does the church spend annually on the wellness of your pastor?

All are very important, as without a building the church cannot meet. Without utilities there can be no electricity or lights. Without maintenance the property will deteriorate and lose value. 

The same goes for the pastor. His presence and calling is as important as the building. If not invested into a wellness program, his power and lights will diminish or go out as well. If not maintained properly, it’s only a matter of time until one will find him in a place of isolation, brokenness, and in a very dark place. 

Through Pastor to Pastor ministry I often find myself addressing this issue with a pastor. Tired, stressed, fatigued, feeling isolated and alone. Realizing that everyone is looking for “Pastoral Care” where the pastor takes care of the congregation, but most pastors feel overlooked, neglected, and taken advantage of. They pour everything they have into their people, while at the same time they are often in a place of greater need than those they are pouring into. As he seeks to find remedies for others, he himself has little to none for himself.

At Pastor to Pastor we often meet with pastors and church boards to help establish a wellness program for the pastor, his wife, and his family. Obviously this is to be determined by a variety of factors within the church. There are, however, some basic guidelines that we encourage churches to go by in creating and providing a healthy system of wellness and wholeness for the pastor, his marriage, and his family. 

A basic wellness program could look like the following:

1. His salary should be reviewed a minimum of once a year. Specific criteria are available to help determine a proper salary. Sadly, the average nationwide salary for a pastor in 2024 is $48,382. Deduct taxes and insurance and there is very little remaining for the pastor and his family to live on. 

2. Quarterly bonuses based on the current growth and health of the church. 

3. Establish a retirement or investment program for the pastor. 

4. Two night/three day getaways each quarter for the pastor and his wife. A time for them to rest, relax, and have some quality time together without distractions. All paid for by the church 

5. An annual retreat for both the pastor and the pastor’s wife. A time for each to get away with other pastors or wives for a time of rest, fun, and building lifetime friendships. It is also a safe place for each to become vulnerable in openly sharing and seeking advice in specific areas of concern in their personal life, family, and ministry. The retreat would be followed up with a one year cohort to engage with the other pastors at the retreat via zoom calls on a monthly basis.   

6. A licensed therapist/counselor on retainer.  

Pastor to Pastor helps to provide guidance on all the above to pastors. We are available to meet with church leadership and structure a wellness program that meets the needs of each specific pastor. We demonstrate to the church board or leaders how the wellness program should be a part of the mission budget of the church. 

Barna stated that 42% of pastors would leave the ministry today if they could financially survive doing something else. The two top reasons given are:

1. Stress (anxiety)

2. Isolation (feeling alone)

Both are not difficult to correct and overcome. A plan of action similar to what is shown above would be a great start. 

I often tell pastors, your wife is your number one ministry while you are your number one priority. You must stop and realize that taking care of you and your well being should be a top priority of both yourself and your church. We are here to help you make both happen. Reach out to us at Pastor to Pastor. You will never have to do ministry and life alone again.