Keep Ministry Anxiety from Turning Unhealthy
Ministry leadership carries real pressure, and anxiety often comes with the calling. Drawing from 1 Peter 5, this article reframes anxiety as a signal that leaders understand the stakes—and offers practical steps to keep that anxiety from becoming unhealthy.
- Anxiety can be normal for leaders, but it can also become unhealthy without attention.
- Peter’s counsel to “cast all your anxiety” is aimed directly at ministry leaders.
- Three practices help: outside peers, exercise, and journaling.
By Don Sanders
If you’re a ministry leader, you’re familiar with this equation: ministry leadership = anxiety. Not all the time, of course. Periods of excitement, rewarding relationships, and satisfying victories occur. These times of blessings keep us showing up on Mondays after stressful Sundays. Despite the brave faces, ministry leaders live with near constant anxiety about things great, small, and every degree in between.
Apostolic Advice
The apostle Peter anticipated as much. “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, New International Version). This oft-quoted advice has comforted generations of Christians. Yet we should remember this admonition resides in the center of a chapter addressed specifically to ministry leaders. Peter called it from the beginning—if you’re a leader, there’s plenty to be anxious about.
A walk through 1 Peter 5 reminds us just how serious this calling of ministry leadership is.
- Shepherd . . . the calling to be responsible for the lives and well-being of the sheep.
- Not domineering . . . the methods you use matter.
- Humility . . . the temptation to elevate ourselves.
- Watchful . . . the realization that the enemy stalks us.
- Suffering . . . the cost of leadership in every facet of life.
Peter’s words remind us that ministry leadership is a unique calling, bringing a heavy load. Leaders worry, lose sleep, and face constant pressure. It’s the nature of the position. The old saying reminds us that if you don’t have any followers, you’re probably not a leader. Could the same be true of anxiety? If you don’t feel some level of anxiety, are you really leading?
Of course, not all anxiety is equal. Certain types are categorized as clinical and require professional help and guidance. Even the non-clinical anxiety that leaders can expect to encounter can become unhealthy and lead to physical, mental, emotional, and even relational stress.
A Signal of Something Significant
If Peter assumes anxiety is a certainty, perhaps we need to reframe its presence. Rather than ignoring it, suppressing it, or spiritualizing it away, maybe we should view it as a signal of something significant: we truly understand the stakes of ministry. The presence of anxiety for leaders, then, can be viewed as not just normal, but even healthy. If we can alter the lens though which we view the stress, worries, and challenges of ministry leadership, it can serve as an indicator that we take the responsibility of leadership seriously.
Three Practices to Keep Leadership Anxiety from Turning Unhealthy
How can we keep leadership anxiety from turning unhealthy, though? If we were chatting in a coffee shop, I would recommend three intentional practices that, while not revolutionary, are incredibly effective. Not surprisingly, ministry leaders are notoriously neglectful of these three practices.
The first practice is to develop peer relationships outside of your ministry context. Find someone you aren’t responsible to lead and make regular time to talk and share with them—even vent to them. It might be a college friend, a former co-worker from a previous ministry, or even a neighbor who doesn’t go to your church. It’s difficult for leaders to talk about anxiety with those we lead. Should we be able to? Ideally, yes. Does human nature allow for this? Typically, no. Processing the stress and anxiety you carry around is cathartic, especially with someone outside your leadership sphere.
You already know the second practice, and most likely received a stern talk from your doctor about it: exercise. No one has time. Few really like it, and yet exercise is the miracle drug for dealing with stress and anxiety. I began running, and it has proven very effective. Solitary miles allow me to think, feel, stew, pray, sing, complain, solve problems, and even just space out. Aside from the obvious physical benefits, regular exercise works wonders for emotional and mental health as well.
The final practice is journaling. Like running, I started this during the COVID lockdown. Journaling the things I’m dealing with accomplishes two important benefits. First, writing those words on the page requires honesty about what I’m thinking or feeling. Putting pen to paper makes it real. Second, once I’ve written those things out, it’s easier to walk away from them. As I’ve read previous years’ journal entries, God’s faithfulness in difficult situations shines through. My anxieties and worries rarely materialize or have little consequence. Journaling is a reminder that God is powerful when I’m a mess inside.
If you’re a leader, expect anxiety. It may be a sign that you’re approaching leadership seriously. Amid that anxiety, remember Peter’s encouragement to his fellow shepherds: cast it all on Jesus, because he cares for you. Cast away!
Author: Don Sanders
Don Sanders has developed leaders in local churches and the academy for over 35 years. He serves as the Dean of Graduate and Digital Education and Associate Professor of Leadership at Central Bible University. He is an avid fan of St. Louis sports teams and a relentless advocate of fine writing utensils.
