In a troubling sign for many congregations, half of pastors say they are often or frequently lonely, according to a report of clergy health.
By Aaron Earls
Pastors may be healthy in many other areas, but most say they struggle with feeling lonely, according to a report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.
The U.S. Surgeon General has written about loneliness as a type of epidemic facing Americans, saying approximately half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. “Disconnection fundamentally affects our mental, physical, and societal health,” Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said. “In fact, loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental health challenges in their lives, and lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily.”
A study from health insurer Cigna found 43% of Americans feel isolated and almost half say they are sometimes or always lonely (46%). Similarly, 47% say they don’t have meaningful face-to-face interactions with others on a daily basis.
Susceptible to loneliness
The church is designed to be a place that addresses loneliness. But pastors don’t always receive that benefit, as their unique role often isolates them. “They’re susceptible to loneliness and isolation because, in some ways, they carry a weight they cannot shoulder or share,” says pastor Ronnie Martin. “They not only have to bear the tension that their own burdens bring but also the tension of others’ burdens. This takes pastors to a lonely place many congregations are sadly unaware of.”
The church is designed to be a place that addresses loneliness. But pastors don’t always receive that benefit, as their unique role often isolates them. Share on XWhile examining clergy health, Hartford heard from numerous pastors that they faced loneliness and isolation. One explained the greatest challenge for them saying, “As a solo minister, my daily work is by myself with broad oversight of church elders. I often wish I had a team to work with.” Another described the challenge saying, “There is a lack of clergy support and connection in my area, despite my trying to form connections.”
Specifically, the report found half of clergy say they are at least often lonely, including 37% who are frequently lonely. Another 21% say they’re sometimes lonely. Only around a quarter (28%) say they are rarely lonely.
Pastors needs
The situation with the church can either address or exacerbate feelings of loneliness. The extent to which pastors feel they are a “good fit” with their congregation is related to their reporting feelings of loneliness. Pastors who say they have a “very good fit” with their church experience less loneliness. But regardless of fit, loneliness and isolation are issues for many pastors.
Half of clergy say they are at least often lonely, including 37% who are frequently lonely, according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. Share on XLifeway Research found several issues related to loneliness in the Greatest Needs of Pastors study. Specifically, around 2 in 3 pastors say they need to devote time and attention to friendships and fellowship with others (69%) or relationships with other pastors (64%). Additionally, 28% directly say loneliness or lack of friendships is one of their most significant challenges.
Network of support
This issue seems to be especially applicable among younger pastors. Those under 45 are the most likely to say they have a spiritual need to invest time in friendship and fellowship with others (79%) and their relationships with other pastors (75%). They are also among the most likely to say they struggle with loneliness or lack of friendships as a mental challenge in ministry (37%).
In general, pastors say they feel like they have support from other clergy in their area, according to a 2020 Lifeway Research study. More than 4 in 5 (82%) feel supported by other local pastors. Still, most pastors (54%) say they know and personally spend time with fewer than 10 local pastors. And feelings of support are connected to the number of fellow pastors with whom they know and spend time.
Around 2 in 3 pastors say they need to devote time and attention to friendships and fellowship with others (69%) or relationships with other pastors (64%). Share on XPastors who strongly agree they’re supported by other local clergy know and spend time with an average of 17 other pastors in their area at least several times a year. Those who somewhat agree connect with an average of 10 pastors. Pastors who somewhat disagree that they feel supported by others know and spend time with an average of eight. And those who strongly disagree that they have the support of other local ministers report connecting with an average of five fellow pastors.
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