I’m not a pastor. I’m just a guy who writes his musings on the internet, hoping someone besides myself is reading them (and if not, well, at least I’m entertained). But man, pastors have a tough job.

Think about it—every week, they have to come up with a fresh sermon. That’s like writing a book report on a book you’ve already written multiple reports on… in a class where everyone else has also read it and already has strong opinions. And not just any book—THE book. You can’t just wing it like a high school paper on To Kill a Mockingbird. No, sir. You gotta rightly divide the Word of Truth, make it engaging, deep, biblically sound, and, ideally, under 45 minutes so people can still beat the Baptists to lunch.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
— 2 Timothy 2:15

And that’s just the preaching part. Pastors are also responsible for leading, shepherding, counseling, praying, and basically being spiritual ER doctors on call 24/7. And here’s the kicker—over half of them have another full-time job.

That’s right. Somewhere between 40% and 60% of pastors are bivocational, meaning they clock in at a normal job just like you and me, then spend their “free time” handling church matters, hospital visits, counseling sessions, funerals, and the occasional church plumbing disaster. And let’s not forget, many started as youth pastors—a calling that requires equal parts theology and riot control.

The Silent Exodus

Ministry burnout is real. A 2024 study found that 53% of pastors have considered quitting. That’s more than half! Why? Well, take a mix of long hours, emotional strain, political polarization, declining church attendance, and a paycheck that makes you question if your reward really is just in heaven… and you’ve got a recipe for pastoral exhaustion.

Oh, and about that declining church attendance? Yeah, our poor overworked pastors also have to watch as fewer and fewer people show up on Sundays. And when they do show up, some of them come armed with theological hot takes they got from Facebook.

So… What Do We Do?

Good news: The Bible actually has some things to say about this.

1. Pray for your pastor.

Before you critique his sermon delivery or wish he’d go back to the other worship style, remember this: he is human. He needs prayer just like you do. Paul constantly asked for prayer.

“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”
— Ephesians 6:19

“Brothers and sisters, pray for us.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:25

If Paul, one of the greatest apostles, needed prayer, your pastor definitely does.

2. Encourage him.

Pastors hear a lot of complaints. They rarely hear encouragement. A simple “Hey, that sermon really helped me” or “Thanks for all you do” goes a long way.

Now, I personally like to encourage my pastor in my own special way. Right before he goes up to preach, it has become a bit of a ritual for me to look him in the eye, give a firm nod, and say, “Don’t suck.” Because really, that’s all any of us can hope for, right? Preach the Word. Deliver the message. And don’t bomb it so bad that people start checking their watches and planning lunch during point two.

But in all seriousness, pastors could use real encouragement.

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
— Proverbs 16:24

Be the honeycomb. Not the stinger.

3. Serve in the church.

You know what would bless your pastor? If he didn’t have to do everything. Many hands make light work.

“Moses’ father-in-law replied, ‘What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him… But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.’”
— Exodus 18:17-21

Translation: Spread the load. Stack some chairs. Teach a Sunday School class. You’d be surprised how much difference it makes.

4. Give him grace.

He’s gonna have off days. He’s not perfect. Neither are you.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
— 1 Peter 4:8

Even the sin of a sermon going a little too long. You know, the one where the pastor’s really getting into it, the Spirit is moving, and suddenly, you realize you’re 15 minutes past when the second service should be starting? Yeah, that one. The one where the parking lot crew is out there, frantically waving at cars like an aircraft carrier deck crew, trying to get the first wave out before the next wave floods in. Give him some grace—he’s just trying to get you to heaven; the parking team is just trying to get you out of the lot in one piece. Both jobs are important.

5. Search Your Own Soul (and Pocketbook… and Schedule)

Maybe you’ve read all this and thought, Man, that really is a tough job… somebody should do something about that. Well, maybe that somebody is you.

Before you panic, I’m not saying you need to quit your job, sell your house, and start pastoring a megachurch next week. But have you ever asked God if He’s calling you to step up? Have you ever dipped your toes in the water to see if pastoring—or even just preaching a single message—is something God might have in store for you?

Sometimes, we expect our callings to be obvious, like Moses and the burning bush, or Paul getting knocked off his horse. But for many of us, a calling isn’t a divine neon sign—it’s something we have to search for.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
— Colossians 3:23

Maybe you step up to teach a Bible study. Maybe you offer to preach one Sunday when the pastor needs a break. Maybe you start leading a small group. Maybe you find out you’re really bad at it… or maybe you find out God put a fire in your heart you didn’t even know was there.

Final Thoughts

Pastors have one of the hardest jobs out there, and the world isn’t making it any easier. But we can pray for them, encourage them, serve alongside them, and give them grace. After all, their job isn’t just about running a church. It’s about guiding souls toward eternity. That’s a heavy burden to carry.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We lift up our pastors to You today—thoseYou have called to shepherd Your people. You see the burdens they carry, the late nights, the early mornings, the prayers spoken in quiet places that no one else hears. Lord, strengthen them when they are weary, give them wisdom when they face difficult decisions, and surround them with people who will encourage them, uplift them, and remind them that their labor is not in vain.

When they feel alone, remind them that You are with them. When they feel overwhelmed, remind them that You are their peace. When they feel inadequate, remind them that it is not by their strength but by Your Spirit that the work is done.

Lord, we pray that You would guard their hearts against discouragement, exhaustion, and temptation. Fill them with a renewed passion for Your Word and Your people. Let them preach boldly, love deeply, and serve joyfully. And, Father, help us, their congregation, to be a blessing to them, not just in words but in action—supporting them, praying for them, and stepping up where we are needed.

We ask all of this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Call to Action

Encourage your pastor today. And if you’re really feeling generous, maybe slip them a gift card to their favorite coffee shop. Trust me, they need the caffeine.