I love this work, but it’s killing me

Clergy, chaplains, and other spiritual leaders are the bedrock of their communities. They celebrate our most joyous occasions, offer comfort in our darkest hours, and guide us with wisdom and compassion.

Jul 12, 2024

The past few years have put even more stress on many clergy. (E+/Martine Severin)


By Steven Sandage and Laura Captari
Clergy, chaplains, and other spiritual leaders are the bedrock of their communities. They celebrate our most joyous occasions, offer comfort in our darkest hours, and guide us with wisdom and compassion. Yet, the immense personal toll of their sacred work often goes unacknowledged. The burnout, trauma, and health challenges that spiritual leaders endure are significant, and their struggles deserve our attention and support.

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the pressures on clergy, exposing them to heightened levels of stress and burnout. The increased polarisation within society has further exacerbated these challenges, leading to a significant number of pastors contemplating resignation. In the United States alone, over a third of pastors have considered leaving their vocations. However, this crisis is not entirely new; it has deep roots extending far beyond the pandemic’s reach.

Research reveals a longstanding pattern of mental health struggles and occupational hazards for spiritual leaders. As psychology researchers who provide psychotherapy to spiritual leaders, teach seminarians, and study their experiences, we have seen these realities firsthand. The experiences of clergy and chaplains across various settings, including healthcare, education, and community services, are diverse. While many spiritual leaders thrive in their calling, a significant number grapple with serious risks.

One of the most profound challenges is the sense of “calling” that defines a spiritual leader’s identity. This deep commitment, while noble, often leads to the sacrifice of personal time and well-being. The moral duty inherent in their work can make it difficult to set boundaries, causing spiritual leaders to overextend themselves. The plethora of responsibilities they bear — ranging from fundraising and rituals to public communication and facilities management — further complicates their lives.

Our research underscores the extreme and traumatic stress levels that spiritual leaders face, particularly those working in under-resourced congregations or high-stress environments like hospitals and correctional facilities. Years ago, one of us (Steve) participated in a study on spiritual leaders’ well-being. Shockingly, nearly one-third of the sample exhibited clinical symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — a rate surpassing that of military personnel post-deployment. The religious organisation that commissioned the study hesitated to publish these alarming findings.

This pattern has persisted. At the Danielsen Institute, our team found similar results among Muslim, Jewish, and Christian leaders. Approximately one-third scored above the clinical cutoff for PTSD symptoms linked to work-related stress. Clergy shared harrowing experiences, such as aggression from congregants and direct exposure to severe suffering. One poignant account involved being called to a home amid a domestic conflict or immediately after a suicide.
Spiritual leaders often feel perpetually on call, facing immense stress from community disagreements and, at times, threats to their financial security or personal safety. Conversely, a supportive congregation can significantly alleviate this burden, highlighting the importance of communal care for those who care for us.

The pandemic brought these issues into sharper focus. Our team facilitated online support groups for chaplains worldwide, attracting over 250 participants. These sessions revealed the profound struggles chaplains faced, from not being recognised as essential personnel to shouldering unprecedented responsibilities. They endeavoured to be at the bedside of dying patients and used technology to bridge the gap for grieving families, all while grappling with fears of infection. These challenges stirred deep existential and spiritual questions, leading some to experience moral injury — a profound inner conflict arising from navigating impossible choices.

In one particularly heart-wrenching session, a chaplain joined from her hospital bed, having contracted COVID-19. Her laboured breathing underscored her dedication to her vocation, even in her final days. Her death the following week left the group in collective mourning, illuminating the emotional toll this work exacts.

These support groups highlighted the necessity for spiritual leaders to have confidential spaces where they can seek support and share the complexities of their work. Despite nearly three-quarters of chaplains considering leaving their roles recently, 98 per cent described their work as deeply meaningful. As one chaplain poignantly stated, “I love this work, but it’s killing me.”

We must recognise and address the heavy burdens borne by our spiritual leaders. We must offer them the same compassion and support they extend to us. By acknowledging their struggles and providing the necessary resources, we can help ensure that they continue their vital work with the strength and resilience needed to serve their communities faithfully. --NCR

(Steven Sandage is professor of the psychology of religion and theology at Boston University. Laura Captari is a clinical and research psychologist at The Danielsen Institute, Boston University.)

This is an adapted version. To read the full article, visit: https://shorturl.at/axgTF

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