Managing Personal Stresses in the Small Church

Abstract

This research project is about the unique stresses of ministry in small churches and the personal strategies pastors use to mitigate stress. Small churches can be a challenge due to factors such as limited resources, established social order, and economic changes in their community. This project involves a survey of pastors of small churches and their strategies for self-care and personal wholeness. The study involved a qualitative survey of pastors of small churches in various size communities, gathering a demographic profile of their ministry context, the sense of church support for ministry and the pastor’s overall sense of personal self-care. The last statement was, “In the area of self-care, provide three or four things that have helped you mitigate or overcome the stresses of the ministry.” The answers provided some common themes for self-care that appear to be vital links tor personal wholeness and well-being. The common themes for self-care were Spiritual Devotion, Friendships/Relationships, Recreation/Vacation- Escape, Hobby/Interest, and Calling/Affirmation/Orientation. These themes of self-care provide recommended strategies for all who are in ministry.