The word “health” gets tossed around a lot regarding pastors. The question is: what does health look like for a pastor? I reached out to a few good friends and asked for their definition. Here are their responses:

“The ability to breathe in and out. Many pastors only know how to breathe out and that’s why they end up collapsing, just like we all would do if we physically only breathed out.”

“Living in a way that promotes positive growth and functionality.”

“Not certain how I would define it, but I know it when I see it/experience it.”

I don’t have all the answers about what pastoral health looks like—but thought I would take a shot at writing about it anyway. I’d like to offer up four behaviors of healthy pastors:

Healthy pastors possess a vibrant walk with God

Healthy pastors remember why they signed up for the ministry in the first place: Love for God. Appreciation of His redemptive work of grace in their lives. Pastor sign up because they’ve received so much from God and want to give back. But often the machinery of ministry subtly chips away at a pastor’s love relationship with Jesus. Sermon prep can crowd out devotional reading of Scripture. The seemingly never-ending demands of people can trump alone time with God. And slowly but surely, week by week, spiritual vibrancy fades. Healthy pastors never forget why they do what they do… love for God. And so they prioritize and feed that relationship.

Healthy pastors implement a solid emotional game plan

Healthy pastors practice effective emotional behaviors, such as demonstrating calendar control, and making time for exercise, hobbies, and friendship. They adopt a healthy work/rest rhythm. They’re increasingly able to express their anger without saying or doing something they’ll later regret. They set and enforce appropriate relational boundaries, and don’t allow people to abuse them verbally or otherwise. Healthy pastors take personal responsibility for recharging their emotional batteries. They understand God has called them to a marathon, not a sprint. So they learn the art of pacing themselves emotionally.

Healthy pastors work from their identity, not for their identity

Healthy pastors get their identity more from the God they love than the people they serve. Getting our identity from people is especially tempting for pastors. If we get our identity more from people than the God, we set ourselves up for trouble. We end up trying to get from people what ultimately only Jesus can give us… unconditional acceptance and love. If you’re a pastor who loves Jesus, your identity is this: You are loved by a good Father! Regardless of how big (or not) your church is. Regardless of how well (or not) you preached this past Sunday. Regardless of what your emotions are telling you right now. His love for you comes full force without strings attached. Learn to work from your identity, not for your identity.

Healthy pastors share the load

Sharing the ministry load doesn’t always come naturally to a pastor. If you’re a perfectionist and a pastor, you have double trouble. You may think “No one can do this task as well as I can.” Or “It’s just easier if I do this task myself rather than trying to teach someone else to do it.” Both of those thoughts lead to a long-term lack of health. Let me offer a better path: First: You work. Figure out how you want the work done and what you need to get out of it. Second: You work—others watch. Show willing and able people how you currently accomplish the task.  Third: Others work—you watch. Give away the task to a team member. Provide feedback as they execute the item. And fourth: Others work—you get out of their way. Give him/her primary responsibility for a project/series of tasks. Keep monitoring to provide encouragement and ensure results, but take your hands off and let your talented people run.

Jesus took a similar approach to sharing the load.  He chose the Twelve. He demonstrated the work of the Kingdom while they observed. Next He delegated a small venture to them (Luke 10:1-23), and provided immediate feedback upon their return. Finally He fully empowered them to do the work of the Kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20). He left the work in their hands with the promise He would be available to them for encouragement and strength.

So pastor… are you healthy? How’s your walk with God? Are you paying attention to your emotions? From whom are you getting your identity? Are you sharing the ministry with others? Take an honest look in the mirror. If you have a hard time evaluating yourself, reach out to a wise friend or mentor. Ask him or her to evaluate you using these behaviors as a guide. If you need to grow in any of the four (I think we always have room to grow), invite someone into your life who can walk the journey with you. For your church to be healthy… you need to be healthy. For the Church to be healthy, its leaders need to be healthy.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on other behaviors that lend to pastoral health. Take a minute to leave a comment and share your ideas. Let’s get/stay healthy together.

I’m praying and rooting for you!