A Word to Ignite Church After Reading the New Barna State of Pastors Report

I wanted to share something from my heart with you.

This week I sat down with the new Barna State of Pastors, Volume 2 report. It is one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted on the experiences of pastors in our country. I expected it to be informative. I did not expect it to be emotional. But page after page, statistic after statistic, I found myself with a burden in my chest for thousands of pastors who are hurting.

At the same time, the deeper I went into that report, the more gratitude rose up inside me for this church and the leaders God has placed beside me. I felt like the Holy Spirit whispered, “You need to tell Ignite how thankful you are. They need to hear it.” So church, here is my heart.

The Reality of Pastoral Burnout

The report revealed that 33 percent of senior pastors in America have seriously considered quitting full-time ministry in the past year. That number was 42 percent not long ago. One out of three pastors feels the weight so heavily that they think about walking away.

As I read that number, I pushed my chair back and thanked God for each man on our elder team. I thanked Him by name. Men who love the Lord, who hold the line, who pray with me, who stand shoulder to shoulder with me. Men who never make me feel alone in ministry. Men who guard the unity of this church with their prayers and with their lives. Men who guard my heart and my family with the same zeal.

Church, after reading that report, I realized again how rare our elder team is. Your elders are godly, humble, hard-working, and spiritually strong. They do not try to steer the church in their own direction. They seek the Lord. They seek Scripture. And they love this body deeply. Next time you see Gary Smith, Erik Oleson, and Jared Posey, tell them thank you!

I am grateful to you, elders—more than I can express.

Confidence in Calling Is Slipping Nationwide

Barna reports that in 2022, only 35 percent of pastors still felt confident in their calling. Many said the last few years shook them. Some said they no longer know if they are supposed to keep going. Their confidence, clarity, and joy in ministry all dropped.

However, in 2023, that number began to rise again, reaching 51 percent. That statistic hit me differently. Because for me, my confidence in my calling has increased, not decreased. And the biggest reason is the spiritual strength and unity of the leadership around me.

To my elders, staff, and ministry leaders: you encourage my calling. You breathe life into my calling. You strengthen my hands when the work is heavy. You create a culture where the Word is honored, prayer is becoming central, and spiritual health matters. I am the pastor I am today because I do not walk alone.

Pastors Are Struggling Emotionally and Spiritually

The report also revealed something that should break every heart in the church. Only 11 percent of pastors report that their mental and emotional health is excellent, and only 14 percent report the same about their spiritual well-being. Even more sobering, 18 percent of pastors said they have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide in the past year.

I cannot put into words what I felt reading that. Sadness. Burden. And then gratitude. Not gratitude that others struggle, but gratitude that God has given me a church that protects my mind and my soul.

Ignite, your prayers matter. Your encouragement matters. Your love for the Word matters. Your hunger for Jesus matters. You create a spiritually healthy environment not just for yourselves, but for your pastor. I want you to hear me say this clearly. You help keep me spiritually strong. You help keep me emotionally healthy. God uses you in my life more than you know.

Loneliness Is Fueling the Crisis

Barna discovered a significant correlation in the data. Pastors who do not feel lonely have almost zero thoughts of self-harm. But among those who feel lonely, 26 percent reported those thoughts.

That statistic made me pause because I do not feel lonely in this church. Not for one second.

I have brothers among our elders who walk alongside me. I have leaders who carry weight with me. I have a congregation that stands behind the mission God has given us. I do not walk in isolation. I walk surrounded by people who love Jesus and love me. And church, you need to know how thankful I am for that. You are not just my church. You are my family.

Many Pastors Feel They Have No Private Life

The study also reveals that 59 percent of pastors report not feeling like they have a private life, and over half say their families have encouraged them to establish better boundaries due to the increasing consumption of ministry.

Church, thank you for guarding my family. Thank you for giving my wife and children room to breathe. Thank you for not putting unrealistic expectations on them. Thank you for loving them and protecting their hearts. You have made Ignite a safe place for my family to grow, serve, laugh, rest, and thrive. And as a pastor, that is one of the greatest gifts you could ever give.

Flourishing Is Rare in the Pastorate Today

One of the most important findings was this. Only 17 percent of pastors report flourishing in their well-being. Only 25 percent say they are flourishing in their relationships.

Church, I read that statistic and felt tears come to my eyes. Because I am flourishing. And one of the reasons is this church. God is working in this house. There is a genuine hunger here. There is unity here. There is spiritual momentum here. There is brotherhood here. There is prayer here.

All of that blesses your pastor more than you know.

My Heart for Ignite Church

I'd appreciate it if you could hear this clearly.

I am grateful for you. I am grateful for our elders. I am grateful for our staff. I am grateful for every ministry leader who faithfully serves, teaches, prays, and leads. I am grateful for every volunteer who helps carry the mission forward. I am grateful for every person who walks through these doors with a Bible, a hunger for God, and a desire to grow.

You have made my calling a joy, not a burden.

Scripture says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17, LSB).

Church, you have allowed me to lead with joy. You have made my calling honorable. You have made ministry life-giving. You have created a culture that strengthens your pastor. And after reading this Barna report, I can say without hesitation that what we have is not normal; it is supernatural.

I love you, church. I thank God for you. And I am honored to be your pastor.

Let us keep praying. Let us keep building. Let us keep pursuing Jesus together.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Jody