Help! My Pastor is Depressed (The Minister's Fainting Fits)

If you grew up in a church that takes expositional Bible teaching seriously, then you’ve probably heard the name Charles Spurgeon tossed around like he’s the Michael Jordan of preaching.

If not, no sweat. Just know that he’s one of the all-time preaching greats.

Imagine London in 1800s. This man packed out the pews, preaching to thousands every week, and writing sermons faster than most of us can write grocery lists. Spurgeon had a way with words that could cut straight to the heart. His sermons were like were like the 1800s version of an ice bath challenge—minus the freezing water, but just as shocking and invigorating where thousands left feeling more awake, more alive, and whole lot closer to God.

Yet, this spiritual giant, who could move crowds with his words, openly struggled with something we don’t always associate with those on a preaching pedestal:

DEPRESSION.

Yup. By his own account, Spurgeon often felt completely spent, worthless, and utterly despondent. In fact, there were moments when things got so bad that he had to tap out—leave the pulpit, pack his bags, and head off to France for some good old-fashioned R&R where he spent more time on the couch than doing anything remotely productive.

In a way, this man gives hope to every preacher out there “preaching when the well is dry.” In one of his bestsellers, Lectures to My Students, there’s a chapter called The Minister’s Fainting Fits—and honestly, every pastor, minister, seminary student, or Bible college grad should read it before they step foot in a pulpit. It’s a raw, no-nonsense take on the highs and lows of ministry.

Now, fair warning, the chapter’s written in old English and can be a little tricky to follow, so I’ve gone ahead and paraphrased some of the chapter in what I like to call the 2024 Shegz English Translation. Plus, I’ve added some practical steps at the end for how a minister can resuscitate their soul when depression or burnout comes knocking.

I’m praying his words hit you like a spiritual ice bath wake-up call—refreshing and maybe a little shocking, but exactly what you need.

The Minister's Fainting Fits

Just like it’s written about David, how he grew faint in the heat of battle, the same thing can happen to all of us who serve God. Moments of exhaustion and discouragement hit the best of us. No matter how cheerful or strong you usually are, there will be times when you feel down. We’re not always going to be at the top of our game. The strong won’t always be ready for battle, the wise won’t always know what to say, and even the most joyful people will sometimes feel low. We might hear about people who seem like they’re made of iron, who don’t seem to ever get worn down, but honestly, even they get rusty. And for the rest of us? God knows we’re just dust, and sometimes He lets us feel it.

I know all about feeling down. I’ve been there, and I’ve been there often. I’m usually upbeat, but I’ve gone through many seasons of depression, so I want to encourage my fellow pastors—especially the younger ones—not to be caught off guard when they find themselves feeling low. This doesn’t mean you’re a failure or that something’s gone terribly wrong with your faith. It’s part of being human. And for those of you who are walking through it right now, know that even someone like me, who’s known for being joyful, has had to walk through some dark valleys.

WHY AND HOW IN THE WORLD DO PASTORS GET DEPRESSED?

• We’re Only Human: The first reason we go through this is simple: we’re human. We get tired, and we’re vulnerable to the struggles and pains of life. Even the best of God’s servants aren’t immune to the storms that come. The most effective pastors have often experienced deep sorrow.

• The Grind of Ministry: Another reason is that ministry work itself is tough. The constant demands and pressures can wear down even the most dedicated servant. A pastor’s job is more than a job; it’s pouring out your soul. But even the most spiritual of people need time to rest and recharge. If we don’t slow down, our bodies and spirits will eventually force us to. The music of heaven won’t keep playing in our ears unless we step back for some quiet time. The voice that speaks for God needs its sabbaths too. We’re in the business of caring for people’s souls, but that same business can drain us if we’re not careful.

• The Weight of Caring for Souls: And here’s another thing: ministry isn’t just hard work; it’s heart work. We’re not just dealing with programs or events—we’re dealing with souls. Who can carry the weight of people’s eternal destinies and not feel the burden? We long to see people come to Jesus, and when that doesn’t happen—when folks walk away or turn cold—it hits us hard. Watching people abuse their faith or make foolish choices, and seeing the slow progress of God’s kingdom in the world, can wear us down. We have this deep longing for change, but it often comes slower than we’d like. We want God’s name to be honoured, but sometimes it feels like we’re swimming upstream.

• The Hour of Success:  Let me point out something I've noticed over the years—there are certain times when we're especially prone to feeling down, and they’re not always the times you’d expect. First on that list? The Hour of Success. Yep, believe it or not, when you finally hit that long-held goal, when God’s really been honoured through your work, and a big victory’s been won, that’s when you’re most likely to hit a low point. You’d think reaching the top of the mountain would keep you there, but that’s not how it works. “Each day has enough trouble of its own”—that saying rings truer than ever when success comes knocking. Success, instead of bringing peace, often dumps a whole new load of worries on your shoulders. What starts as the joy of victory quickly turns into the stress of, "What’s next?" If you’ve led someone to faith, you immediately start wondering, "Who’s the next person? How do I reach them?" And if things don’t go as well the next time, your past success actually makes the letdown feel worse. Suddenly, you’re chasing after that high again, but you’re also weighed down by new responsibilities. Yesterday’s win becomes today’s burden, and the same faith you fought for yesterday needs to be backed up with just as much, if not more, prayer today. Victory doesn’t guarantee rest—it calls for more trust, more prayer, and more reliance on God moving forward.

• We’re Constantly Reminded of Our Limits: God often reminds us just how weak we are. Our plans fall apart, our best efforts fail, and we’re left feeling helpless. We get frustrated when things don’t go the way we hoped. But in those moments, we’re forced to see how small we are and how big God is. It’s good for us to feel our emptiness so we can be filled with His strength.

• Sensitive Souls Suffer More: Some pastors are more prone to these bouts of depression because of their temperament. Sensitive, creative, or deeply empathetic people are often more vulnerable. It’s not the tough, rough iron that gets tested and refined in the fire—it’s the delicate gold that gets melted down for God’s purposes. The more tender-hearted you are, the more you’re likely to feel things deeply. But that sensitivity is also what makes you effective in ministry. The more you suffer, the more useful you become, because God is refining you to be a better servant. Suffering produces some of the richest spiritual fruit.

• Sudden Crises: Sometimes, one big blow can take us down. Maybe someone you trusted has turned against you. Or perhaps a decade of hard work feels like it’s fallen apart in a moment. Maybe a shining light in your ministry goes out, or a big mistake comes to light, and it feels like everything is ruined. It’s no wonder that pastors can feel crushed at times. We all go through moments when the clouds hang low, and the day feels like night.

• The Rollercoaster of Ministry: We’re not just human, we’re humans with emotions and passions. It’s impossible to stay on a spiritual high forever. We’re going to have our ups and downs. Some pastors might manage to stay on an even keel for a long time, but I’m not sure that’s a sign of health. The more you pour yourself out, the more you’ll need to rest and recharge. Ministry is a constant cycle of pouring out and refilling. If we’re always on top, we might forget how to connect with the weak and weary around us. It’s the low points that teach us to be compassionate.

DON’T BE SURPRISED—BE PREPARED

These moments of weakness will come, and we shouldn’t be caught off guard. It’s part of the journey. When they come, don’t beat yourself up. I know some people will tell you to just snap out of it, but that’s not how it works. You can’t just shake off spiritual or emotional exhaustion like it’s nothing. What you need in those times is understanding and support, not judgment. Strong people might look down on the weak, but that’s not how Jesus does it. He binds up the broken-hearted and heals the wounded. In those tough moments, we need to rest, wait on the Lord, and trust that He’ll renew our strength. If we don’t see the healing in this life, we can be sure that, in the life to come, all sorrow will be wiped away.

12 STEPS TO RESUSCITATE YOUR SOUL AND MINISTRY

In my (Segun’s) role as Executive Director of The Gathering Faith Leadership Network in Jos, Nigeria, I come face to face with the very struggles Spurgeon described. Many of the pastors I work with are silently battling burnout, exhaustion, and depression, but they either can’t put a name to it or feel like it’s "anathema" to admit it. For them, depression seems like the unspoken enemy—something a pastor should never have to confess.

Yet, as a ministry focused on pastoral care, it's our responsibility to help these pastors not only recognize the problem but also offer real solutions. Through the last few years of supporting church leaders here in Nigeria, we’ve found that addressing this issue head-on brings healing and restoration.

Two resources that have been incredibly helpful in our journey are “The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout” by Sean Nemecek and “People-Pleasing Pastors” by Charles Stone. Not only are these books insightful and practical, but they’re also a key part of the training curriculum we’ve incorporated into our pastoral care program. Both offer tremendous wisdom on navigating the emotional and spiritual challenges pastors face, equipping them to recognize burnout and recover with grace.

With that in mind, I want to offer 12 emotionally healthy steps you can take to resuscitate your heart when the dreams of ministry start feeling like a nightmare. These are practical, life-giving actions you can begin today, whether you're on the brink of burnout or just need a course correction to stay healthy in ministry.

1. Refresh Your Soul in God's Word: When ministry drains your spirit, it’s often because you’re running on your own strength. To recover, return to the source—God’s Word. Not just for sermon prep, but for your own personal nourishment. As David says in the Psalms, “When I think of you as I lie on my bed, I meditate on you during the night watches” (Psalm 63:6). Let Scripture re-center your identity in Christ, not in your performance.

2. Establish Boundaries: Pastors often fall into the trap of trying to meet every need, which leads to burnout. The truth is, you need to learn to say “no” more often. Set healthy boundaries that protect your time, energy, and mental health. Even Jesus, who was in constant demand, took time away from the crowds to rest and pray (Luke 5:16).

3. Seek Authentic Community: Isolation is a real danger in ministry. You need people in your life who can support you without judgment—whether it’s a mentor, counselor, or trusted peers. Even Jesus didn’t walk alone—He surrounded Himself with the 12 disciples, and even had a closer circle of three (Peter, James, and John) (Matthew 17:1). Find your people.

4. Reduce Screen Time: Okay, yeah, there were no mobile devices in biblical times, but it’s safe to say no one ever suffered from cutting down their screen time. Spending too much time on social media or email can exhaust you mentally and spiritually. Take time offline for prayer, reflection, and meaningful connections. As Jesus often retreated to quiet places, so should we (Mark 1:35).

5. Practice Emotional Awareness and Vulnerability: It’s easy to suppress emotions when you feel the need to be strong for everyone else. But part of recovery is allowing yourself to feel vulnerable. Even Jesus wept openly at the death of Lazarus (John 11:35). Acknowledge your emotions, whether through prayer, journaling, or trusted conversations, and let healing begin.

6. Rest and Recalibrate: Rest is critical, not just physically but spiritually and emotionally as well. Whether it’s a short retreat or an extended sabbatical, take time away from ministry pressures to reflect, recalibrate, and rediscover what called you to ministry. Just as God instituted the Sabbath for rest (Exodus 20:8-10), you too need regular rest to avoid burnout.

7. Rediscover Your Identity in Christ, Not in Ministry Success: It’s easy to tie your identity to how well your ministry is doing—attendance numbers, programs, or approval from others. But your true identity is found in Christ, not in performance. Remember how Jesus, before performing any miracles, heard the Father’s voice say, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Please don’t ever let this truth stray from your heart - Your value is rooted in who you are in Him!

8. Probe Your Past: Take time to reflect on your past experiences. Are there unresolved hurts or disappointments that might still be affecting you? Joseph took time to ponder his life while reconciling with his brothers after years of hardship and betrayal (Genesis 45:1-5). Understanding your past can help you move forward with a lighter heart and a clearer path.

9. Revisit Your Core Values: What values brought you into ministry in the first place? Over time, the demands of leadership can cause us to drift from those guiding principles. Like Nehemiah, who stayed focused on rebuilding Jerusalem despite distractions (Nehemiah 6:3), revisit your core values and realign your ministry with them. When God called you, what were His instructions for what you should do? Are you doing it or have you drifted?

10. Search Your Gaps: Burnout or depression can often stem from gaps in leadership style, emotional awareness, or spiritual life. Take a step back and assess where you feel ill-equipped or out of balance. Moses, realizing he couldn’t lead the Israelites alone, accepted help from others (Exodus 18:17-24). Seeking help or training to fill your gaps is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.

11. Expose Your Triangles: In ministry, unresolved tension can sometimes lead to unhealthy relational dynamics called triangles. This happens when, instead of dealing with conflict directly, a third person is pulled in to manage the stress—intentionally or unintentionally. For example, if there’s an issue between you and a colleague, you might vent to someone else rather than addressing the problem head-on. This only complicates the situation and adds unnecessary emotional strain. To prevent burnout, it's crucial to recognize these triangles in your relationships and address them directly. Have honest conversations with the person involved rather than bringing others into the tension. Paul set a great example when he confronted Peter directly over a disagreement (Galatians 2:11-14). By dealing with the core issues openly and transparently, you’ll create healthier relationships and minimize stress, freeing up emotional energy to focus on your calling.

12. Break Free from Ministry Success Metrics:  It’s easy to tie your sense of worth to how successful your ministry looks on the outside. But true freedom comes from breaking away from numbers and external achievements. John the Baptist knew his role was not about fame, saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Focus on your identity in Christ, not external metrics.

Listen, ministry is not for the faint of heart, and as Spurgeon rightly observed, fainting fits will come. But with intentional practices—grounded in Scripture, community, emotional awareness, and rest—you can resuscitate your heart and recover from burnout. Brothers (and sisters in ministry), hear me: your ministry must flow from a place of health, rest, and spiritual vitality, so that when the weight of the work feels overwhelming, you are equipped to continue with the strength God provides.

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.” Hebrews 13:20-21

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