Pastors play a fundamental role in churches across the globe, yet more and
more are finding themselves struggling with the stress of ministry life and
experiencing burnout. The consequences of pastoral burnout can be severe
and impact not only individuals’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being, but spillover to their families and congregations as well. Despite this increasingly common problem, the subject of pastors and their unique experiences has not been well studied. Caring for our Shepherds is written to pastors and for pastors. In this book, researchers on pastoral burnout, Thomas V. Frederick, Yvonne Thai, and Scott Dunbar answer the questions: what is pastoral or ministry burnout, how can it be guarded against, and how can we help those experiencing it? The reader will not only develop a deeper understanding for the demands of ministry, but also be provided with specific practical and spiritual frameworks to cope with those demands in ways that promote a positive and healthy mindset. Caring for our Shepherds is an excellent resource not only for those in ministry, but to those who desire to pour back into those who serve in the church.

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Q&A With the Authors

What was your motivation for writing this book?

Thai: Years ago, I lost the lead pastor of our church to suicide, and this was the motivation and driving force for our team to pour ourselves into researching and publishing on pastoral burnout, a topic that we would come to find was not well studied.

Dunbar: Yeah, in the years we have spent talking with pastors, pastoral staff, and ministry leaders, we have learned about the unique stressors associated with pastoring and ministering.

Frederick: This is why we founded the Center for Pastoral Renewal and, in part, why we wrote this book. Our book is based on our psychological research on coping with pastoral burnout. In it, we provide Christian spiritual resources to deal with the distinctly spiritual nature of pastoral burnout.

What qualifies you to write on this topic?

Dunbar: We hold doctorates in our respective fields and are tenured professors at California
Baptist University. Our disciplines span across Psychology, Theology, Sociology, and Business.

Frederick: Together we have published multiple chapters, empirical research studies, and books on
the topics of burnout, spirituality, work-life balance, and emotional well-being. We have also presented our research findings and publications at academic conferences and continue to conduct peer-reviewed
research studies.

Thai: Also, we have spoken at pastoral conferences and trainings and partnered with ministries overseeing
pastoral care. It is very important to us to be able to speak directly to the pastorate and church leaders
because they are the population we are trying to serve.

What is this book about?

Frederick: Pastors play a fundamental role in churches across the globe, yet more and more are finding
themselves struggling with the stress of ministry life and experiencing burnout.

Dunbar: Right, the consequences of pastoral burnout can be severe and impact not only individuals’
physical, mental, and emotional well-being, but spill over to their families and congregations as well.
Frederick: Despite this increasingly common problem, the subject of pastors and their unique experiences has not been well studied.

Thai: In this book, we answer the questions: what is pastoral or ministry burnout, how can it be
guarded against, and how can we help those experiencing it.

Frederick: The reader will not only develop a deeper understanding for the demands of ministry, but also
be provided with specific practical and spiritual frameworks to cope with those demands in ways that
promote a positive and healthy mindset.

What is unique about this book when compared to other books on this topic?

Frederick: Caring for our Shepherds is unique in that it combines three important aspects of Christian
pastoring. First, our book is based on our psychological research on coping with pastoral burnout.
Second, our book describes the importance of calling, specifically tied into our identity in Christ, as a
resource for pastors dealing with burnout. Finally, we provide Christian spiritual resources to deal
with the spiritual nature of pastoral burnout. Specifically, since pastoral burnout is primarily a spiritual
issue, we present Christian spiritual practices as a means to reinvigorate the spiritual depletion aspect of
pastoral burnout.

Who should be reading this book?

Thai: This book is written to pastors, for pastors, and to those who care about pastors. It speaks directly
to the unique stressors and demands pastors experience in their roles and the consequences that they face.

Frederick: The book provides spiritual and psychological resources to cope with stressors leading to
burnout. It is also intended for ministry and church leaders and those who support them in these roles.

Where can your readers go for more resources and to learn more about this topic?

Dunbar: Readers who are interested on the topic of pastoral support and care can find more resources at
our website: https://centerforpastoralrenewal.com/

Frederick: Here they will find self-assessment tools, additional recommendations for resources, our podcast featuring pastors across the nation, and blogs on issues related to pastoral support and care.

Thai: They can also connect with us on Instagram. Our handle is: @centerforpastoralrenewal. Please
consider following us to hear more from pastors across the nation. We would love to form a community
for pastors, ministry, and church leaders to connect with us and with each other!

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Praise for “Caring for Our Shepherds: Understanding and Coping with Burnout as a Pastor”

“Caring for Our Shepherds is a clearly written and very helpful book on understanding and coping with
burnout as a pastor. Frederick, Thai, and Dunbar provide practical ways of managing pastoral burnout,
including spiritual disciplines and four Christian devotional meditation practices of lectio divina, the Jesus
Prayer, centering prayer, and the examen. Highly recommended!”
— Siang-Yang Tan, senior professor of clinical psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary

“This book provides a practical conceptual overview of understanding the unique aspects of ministry
burnout and how to care for those experiencing it. The authors provide practical ways for spiritual
disciplines to be developed in a minister’s lifestyle to enhance their personal and ministry health. The
reader will discover a pathway to respond to their own ministry struggles as well as help others within their circle of influence.”
— Roger A. Yancey, executive director, Tryon Evergreen Baptist Association

“Mindfully constructed for the busy and burdened pastor with direct, insightful information and practical
steps, Caring for Our Shepherds is a necessary read for all pastors in ministry.”
— Cody Bockelkamp, biblical counselor