“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” ~1 Peter 5:7

As leaders in our churches and in our communities, we are called to be a non-anxious presence modeling love and kindness as Jesus demonstrated for us. Even as I believe this and try to live it, it isn’t always easy. I live in Minneapolis. Over the past several weeks, I have found myself filled with anger, anxiety, and fear. I have also been confronted with strained relationships with people I care about who are not like-minded. There’s a battle within myself. My head is filled with ANTS (automatic negative thoughts) and my heart hurts. I jump on my indoor bike to pedal away the ANTS and calm the quaking in my soul. However, it’s not enough.

Diane Owen, DK-MN Area Director of Clergy Well-being

In the midst of uncertainty and division, congregations and communities look to their pastors and leaders for calm, courage, and compassion. But as United Methodist clergy and ministry leaders serving in Minnesota and the Dakotas, you know firsthand that ministry life— in rural communities and urban centers alike—can be emotionally demanding. When the people you serve are anxious, fearful, and carrying heavy burdens, you often absorb the pain as well.

That’s why caring for your own mental and emotional well-being isn’t a luxury—it’s a spiritual and vocational imperative.

Sustainable Ministry Requires Whole Leaders

Ministry is not just about sermons, programs, or meetings—it’s about emotional presence. People don’t just want theological answers; they want leaders who are steady, compassionate, and genuine. Clergy and church leaders are called to carry the hope of the Gospel into places marked by brokenness. But that calling doesn’t make you immune to stress, isolation, burnout, or compassion fatigue. If your own emotional well-being is ignored, you risk:

• becoming emotionally exhausted
• losing joy in your calling
• making decisions out of fear instead of grace
• modeling unhealthy coping patterns to your people
• diminishing your stamina to serve long-term

Jesus knew the weight of ministry and invited leaders into deeper rest and restoration—not just service without replenishment.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” ~Psalm 46:10
In a world of noise and reaction, stillness before God cultivates clarity, peace, and resilience.

A Place to Begin

Whether you already have well-established and helpful practices to deal with such a time as this or you are feeling disoriented as you try to find grounding in the chaos, it can be helpful to:

• Find a time of stillness with Scripture, prayer, meditation - no matter how brief
• Do not neglect your physical self and find a way to move – walk, exercise, stretch
• Eat well – food is medicine for both the body and mind
• Talk to a licensed therapist or counselor (individual or pastoral counseling)
• Gather a peer group for shared experiences and wisdom
• Practice regular Sabbath rhythms to rest body, mind, and spirit
• Establish healthy boundaries between work and personal life

Practical Tools to Strengthen Emotional Health

Much like physical exercise strengthens the body, intentional practices strengthen emotional resilience. First, read Scripture and engage in prayer.

Additionally, here are tools and resources you can integrate into your routines

Mindfulness and Meditation Apps

These tools are helpful for calming anxiety, fostering focus, and nurturing present-moment awareness and can be easily integrated into daily rhythms, even for busy schedules.

• Headspace — Meditation for stress, sleep, and resilience
• Calm — Guided practices for daily peace
• Insight Timer — Free meditation library
• Abide — Christian-centered meditation & Scripture reflections
• Ritual – A living library of audio practices to accompany you on your journey toward mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being

Books for Emotional and Spiritual Growth

• Minding the Body, Mending the Mind by Joan Borysenko - An excellent primer for paying attention to both mind and body and the symbiotic relationship between the two with excellent suggestions and resources.
• The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero - Helps leaders integrate emotional depth with spiritual maturity.
• “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown – Encourages whole-hearted living through vulnerability and courage.
• Trauma Stewardship by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky – An everyday guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others

Leading Others Begins With Leading Yourself

When leaders model emotional health and spiritual rest, they create a culture of authenticity, compassion, and resilience. People are not inspired by perfection, but by humility and hope. A leader who says “I also need rest, prayer, and community” teaches others to value their own well-being.

Clergy and ministry leaders are spiritual guides—not superhumans. Jesus never designed ministry to drain life; he intends it to overflow with the life of the Spirit. When you care for your own mental and emotional health, you not only protect yourself—you strengthen your ministry and honor God with a heart that remains tender, wise, and steadfast.

As United Methodist leaders, leadership shouldn’t be measured by how much you do—it’s measured by how deeply grounded you are in Christ and connected to your own well-being. When you care for your emotional and mental health:

• you maintain the clarity to lead with wisdom
• you model healthy discipleship to your congregations and ministries
• you sustain a ministry that lasts
• you honor the wholistic vision of grace that God desires for all of God’s beloved people

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~Matthew 11:28
Jesus extends this invitation to those who are tired in heart and spirit—not just those in need of physical rest. Ministry demands rest, and Jesus permits us to take it.

Resource Reminders for Clergy Leaders

The Minnesota and Dakotas Annual Conferences actively encourage clergy well-being with initiatives rooted in pastoral care and wholeness. These include:

Whole + Holy: Clergy Well-Being

With an intentional focus on total well-being—emotional, physical, spiritual, financial, and social. The Life Wheel reflection tool helps you assess where balance is needed, and Wespath offers resources for emotional support, counseling referrals, and spiritual practice tools including meditation and guided reflection.

The Area conferences emphasize a wholistic approach to clergy wellness, including access to counseling, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), and financial assistance for mental health care. Virtual counseling options and spiritual directors are available to help clergy navigate feelings of anxiety, stress, and overwhelm. View Whole + Holy: Clergy Well-being webpage for the Dakotas.

Most importantly, as a part of connectional system, you don’t need to navigate this journey alone. Should you need assistance in discerning what might be the best resource for you and/or accessing these options, contact:

Diane Owen, Area Director of Clergy Well-being
JoAnn Early, DK Conference Benefits Officer
Jim Nienaber, MN Conference Benefits Officer