All Pastors Are Stressed
by Pastor Travis Norton, Pinnacle West Associate
I recently sat down with two pastors, and our conversation quickly turned to stress in ministry. We talked about the adrenaline rush that comes with pastoral work—the constant activity, the steady stream of people asking for decisions, the sense of being needed. It’s exhilarating. But when the activity slows, our bodies don’t always get the message. The adrenaline keeps pumping, and when it’s quiet we start to wonder if something’s wrong. Ministry can be addictive that way—the rush of being needed, the weight of leadership, the constant pull to respond.
But how do you turn that off?
As we talked, we began naming the ways stress shows up in our lives. One pastor shared about sleepless nights. Another admitted to stomach issues. When I asked my wife how she knows I’m stressed, she didn’t hesitate: “You get grumpy.” She went on to describe how I withdraw from the family and avoid conversation. I didn’t love hearing that—but she was right.
The truth is, every pastor carries stress. Some of us hide it better than others, but rarely from our families. The real question isn’t whether we’re stressed—it’s what we do with it.
Here are a few practices that have helped me:
1. Acknowledge It.
Stress often shows up in our bodies before we name it in our minds. Sleeplessness, stomach issues, irritability—these can all be signals. Connect the dots. Talk about it with trusted people. Pay attention to how ministry pressures trigger your stress response.
2. Get Physical.
Move your body. Lift weights, go for a run, play golf, hike a trail—anything that gets your heart rate up and your body working. Physical activity is one of the best ways to release tension.
3. Lean on Your Faith.
Pastors are quick to tell others to pray, but slow to take our own advice. Bring your burdens to God. Share what you’re carrying and ask for help. Prayer works—not just for your congregation, but for you.
4. Be in Community.
You need two kinds of community: friends and peers who can listen when you vent, and a church community that shares the work of ministry with you. Don’t try to carry it all alone.
5. Share the Load.
Look for opportunities to delegate. Pastoral visits, meetings, even Bible studies—these don’t all have to rest on your shoulders. Too often we assume the “big things” can’t be shared. They can.
Stress will never disappear from ministry. It’s part of the calling. The goal isn’t to eliminate it, but to manage it so it doesn’t overwhelm you or diminish the work God has entrusted to you.
