The Weight We Carry: Mental Wellness in Ministry

Ministry is one of the greatest callings—but also one of the hardest. It’s rewarding, yes, but it can also be lonely, exhausting, and mentally taxing. That’s why in this episode of the Minister Support Series, Hannah Howard and Adam Schwarzenbach sat down with Joe Fraser, Adult Education and Missions Pastor at Briarwood Baptist Church, to talk about mental wellness for ministry leaders.

The Weight of Ministry

Joe reminded us that ministry leaders often carry things few others can understand. Church members may see only one moment of care or a Sunday morning sermon, without realizing the heavy spiritual, emotional, and relational load a minister might be carrying all week long.

That’s why community among fellow ministers matters so much—only other ministry leaders often fully grasp the weight. And without healthy support systems, that weight can lead to burnout, strained relationships, or even a fractured walk with God.

Habits for Healthy Balance

So what can ministers do to prioritize mental wellness? Joe shared several practices that have been key for him:

• Stay active. Getting outside or working out daily helps clear the mind.

• Pursue your personal relationship with Christ. Time in the Word and prayer isn’t just for sermons—it’s for your soul.

• Build trusted relationships. Joe has a small group of men he meets with weekly to share honestly, plus healthy accountability with his staff team.

• Use humor. Not every moment is light, but laughter is a gift God gives to ease the load.

Together, these practices create rhythms that help sustain ministry leaders for the long haul.

What Happens When We Neglect Mental Wellness?

Joe also spoke candidly about a difficult season in his past where ministry dysfunction and unhealthy leadership dynamics left him deeply discouraged. The weight of that season impacted his ability to minister effectively, strained his home life, and left him in a place of anger and exhaustion.

But even there, God was at work. Through trusted friends, honesty, and time, he saw that mental health and spiritual health are not separate categories—caring for your mind is part of caring for your soul.

Vulnerability as a Gift

One of the most powerful takeaways? Vulnerability is not weakness—it’s a gift to those you lead.

Being appropriately transparent with your struggles not only brings healing for you but models to your congregation or students that they too can be honest, seek help, and find growth. Vulnerability creates space for others to experience the same grace of God that sustains you.

Our Takeaway

Your mental, spiritual, physical, and relational health are deeply connected. Ignoring one area will inevitably impact the others. For ministers, caring for mental health is not selfish—it’s part of stewarding your calling faithfully.

As Joe put it: “There’s no shame in getting the help you need. Whether it’s counseling, accountability, or even medication—your mental health matters, and it will make your spiritual health stronger too.”

Final Thoughts

At Connect Ministries, our mission is to help churches meet new people. One way we do that is by supporting ministers like you—because when you’re healthy, your church can be healthy too.

If you missed the conversation, you can watch the full episode here.

And if this resonated with you, we’d love to hear from you. What practices help you maintain your own mental wellness in ministry? Drop us a note—we’d love to learn from you.

Let’s Talk

Need a conversation? Have a resource request? Want to be part of the series?
Reach out at [email protected] or text us today at 706-380-5763.
We’re here for you—and we’re in this together.