Pastoral Wellness Leaders Collaborate for Resilient Ministers

More than 60 pastoral wellness leaders from across the Southern Baptist Convention — representing the four historic boards and all six seminaries of the SBC, along with many local associations and state conventions — gathered at GuideStone to collaborate on identifying and finding solutions to pastors’ top challenges and well-being needs.

“The success of a church is deeply connected to the well-being of ministers—financially, physically and emotionally,” GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck told attendees in opening remarks. “We have learned through 107 years of ministry that financial wellness is a leading indicator of overall pastoral well-being.”

GuideStone shared new research the enterprise conducted last year among members that found pastors overwhelmingly wished they had started saving for retirement earlier. That research and feedback from the Southern Baptist entity’s first Pastoral Wellness Summit in 2023 led GuideStone to create a resource hub with articles, videos, workbooks, and other content that can help them and their churches be more financially secure and resilient.

“In three hours of listening sessions, leaders identified top challenges pastors face: isolation, financial stress, burnout, leadership struggles and mental health,” said Mark Dance, director of pastoral wellness at GuideStone. “They need friendships, mentorship, and intentional community. No pastor should — or has to — go it alone. One of the great strengths of our Southern Baptist family is our interconnectedness amid autonomy.”

Three panel discussions included representatives of Southern Baptist entities who discussed key findings in their own efforts to encourage minister and missionary resilience and representatives of all six seminaries who discussed their findings among their 25,000 current students enrolled nationwide.

Speakers indicated a desire for more pastoral longevity — ultimately finishing well in the ministry they have received from the Lord.

“To help pastors serve effectively in the work to which they have been called requires intentional investment,” Dance said. “Encouraging rest, retreats, and sustainable ministry rhythms will help pastors start well, stay well and finish well.”