Posted on January 21, 2026 by Rev. David Gunderson, tLMFT
Church Worker Wellness
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One New Year’s resolution all church workers should practice is good self‑care. Many church workers excel at caring for others but eventually find themselves experiencing burnout.
The Greatest, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,” gives us helpful guidance on how to care for ourselves.
When we are physically healthy, we can better care for others. Injuries and illness will happen and can limit one’s ministry, but the better we take care of our body the better chance we have of avoiding illness.
Taking care of your physical health requires time:
Physical care is good for everyone, but it is especially important for those who support others daily.
This refers to our mental abilities. Most church workers have attended years of education in order to get their degree. Colleges and seminaries are great places to learn , but learning doesn’t stop at graduation.
Church workers can keep growing mentally by:
A sharp and active brain helps us care better for others and strengthens our ministry.
Now, a mind is a terrible thing to waste and everyone should take advantage of ways to improve one’s mind. To improve one’s mind try reading books just for fun or for an interest, try out a new hobby, or listen to podcasts.
Another way to improve one’s mind is to avoid that which can harm the mind. Just as we avoid junk food to stay physically healthy, we must also avoid “junk” that pollutes the mind. Scripture says:
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth… Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
—Colossians 3:2, 5
Building a healthy mind may also include reading for fun, learning a new hobby, or listening to uplifting podcasts.
Our spiritual life is the center of who we are. God’s Word states:
But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.
—Job 32:8
As God’s people we are called by God to grow in our relationship to Him. This implies having communication with God which involves prayer and the study of God’s Word. Most church workers study God’s Word in order to teach others. This is important, but to stay spiritually strong church workers need to read God’s Word not just for information, but for “transformation.”
This means:
As one pastor stated, “Most workers start the day by talking to the boss and church workers can do the same by taking time to talk to God (their boss) in prayer and listening to God by hearing His Word.”
God created us with emotions, and our feelings can significantly affect our ministry.
For example, a church worker who feels disinterested, angry, or exhausted may be experiencing depression. Identifying the cause — such as grief, stress, or significant change — can help the worker manage these emotions more effectively. The same is true for anxiety or fear.
Learning to recognize your emotional state and understanding how to process your feelings can make a tremendous difference in your ability to serve.
Remember this: God made us and we are complex creatures. We have a body, a soul, a mind, and a heart. And by taking time to care properly for these areas we can best serve God and serve others!
God’s blessings in Christ,
Dave Gunderson
Our church needs healthy workers. Lutheran Family Service knows the importance of proactive wellness and encourages church workers to prioritize mental health just as much as physical health. We have years of experience serving church workers in LCMS congregations and schools. If your congregation, yourself, or a church worker you know would benefit from the support of Lutheran Family Service, refer to or contact us today.
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