God has placed within our bodies an amazing and dynamic communication network made up of one hundred billion nerve cells, thirty billion alone in our two or three pound brains. With each nerve cell communicating with thousands of other nerve cells, they talk to each other with incredible speeds of 250 miles per hour. As neurons are stimulated, electrical signals whiz through these nerve cells and, incredibly, a handful of them contain enough electricity to light a light bulb. Then, between nerve cells are tiny gaps one millionth of an inch wide called synapses. We have trillions of these in just the top one-eighth inch layer of our brains through which up to seventy different chemicals called neurotransmitters pass from one cell to the next at dizzying speeds of 1/10,000 of a second. Incredibly, a speck of our brains the size of a grain of sand contains 100,000 neurons and one billion synapses. This very sophisticated complex internal communication system consists of delicately balanced electrical and chemical pathways as information is sent up to our brains and back down instructing our bodies how to manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

We are created in God’s image. As Christians we are completely forgiven. While research points out the health, happiness, and longevity benefits of a strong faith, our humanity still comes with numerous imperfections. Our bodies, including our nervous systems, are both fantastic and problematic. Sometimes because of genetics and/or escalating stress, especially prolonged stress, malfunctions occur.

Many of us are acutely familiar with our physical reactions with too much stress. We may experience stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, back pain, skin problems, headaches, and heart problems. But we may not know very much about other equally damaging biological vulnerabilities resulting from ongoing stress. With prolonged and elevated stress we release stress hormones; ongoing depression is a typical reaction to overwhelming stress. These elevated stress hormones often create damage, for example, increased clotting in our blood leading to increased likelihood of heart attacks and increased bone density loss which may lead to osteoporosis. Nervous system illnesses such as depression and anxiety lead to increased difficulties in daily functioning and problems like these can be traced directly back to problems in our nerve cell functioning, especially with malfunctioning neurotransmitters trying to cross our microscopic synapses. With increased stress come sleep and appetite problems, concentration difficulties, increased irritability, mood problems, difficulty in solving problems, and difficulty maintaining close relationships. Medication is sometimes needed to manage these chemical imbalances; other helpful remedies are prayer, a caring listener, changing our habits of living, enjoying more sunshine, and increased physical activity, which all can have a major positive impact on our nervous system’s functioning.

“Pastor as Person in Ministry” is a course at Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls. In it we focus on helping our potential pastors become more aware of their need to care for themselves not only spiritually and physically, but mentally too. Pastors’ roles are full of blurred boundaries which often are aligned with increased stress. It is imperative these days more than ever for pastors to not only guard their boundaries but have specific personal steps for self care. It’s equally important for elder boards, other committees in our churches, and the rest of us parishioners to be sensitive to our pastors’ needs to take care of their health. Pastors need to be reassured that we understand at least some of the stress they are under and that it’s safe for them to ask for help.

It is of paramount importance that we be aware of our stressors and especially alert to ongoing intense stress, which can have such damaging results. As congregations, we need to be prayerful and mindful of this not only for ourselves and our families, but for our pastors too. Our pastors need to be given permission to talk to appropriate people in the church or outside of the church if they are struggling.

Why might pastors have more difficulty finding appropriate persons to confide in, or finding ways to get their needs met? First, most of us, probably more men than women, often struggle with being genuine and honest with how we are functioning. This is especially true when it comes to dealing with symptoms of stress, which many of us in our society inaccurately equate with weakness. Furthermore, the role of the pastor as a leader, shepherd, and counselor to us parishioners places them in increasingly difficult positions to ask for help. They are typically involved in very one-way type of relationships. Their role is to pastor the parishioners and meet their church members’ needs, not necessarily the other way around.

As a psychologist working with clients, I am supposed to avoid, as much as possible, dual relationships (professional and personal at the same time), for this has the potential to undermine my helping role. Pastors often experience more than dual relationships that are unavoidable in the church, yet more than ever they need to protect their boundaries, and therefore avoid sharing personal struggles with their parishioners. Many times pastors find themselves relating with their parishioners in multiple ways: sitting on a variety of church committees, preaching to them on Sundays, teaching them in Bible studies and Sunday school, counseling them in the church office, and socializing with them at various church functions. Situations where pastors are in multiple roles with many people in the church can become extremely complicated and can lead to pastors ignoring their own needs in an attempt to keep their roles clear.

As most pastors have close working relationships with their elders, the elders may be most aware of how our pastors are functioning spiritually, physically, and mentally. How can the elders help? 1) Become more aware of these issues. 2) Have clear communication with pastors regarding their well-being. 3) Assist pastors in setting clear boundaries when possible. 4) Do not be judgmental towards those who might be struggling. 5) Provide real safety for our pastors to share if ongoing stressors and their symptoms are becoming overwhelming and in need of special attention. 6) Be more aware of local resources that may help.

Self-care reminders are good for all of us, but let us especially remember this need for our pastors who function in often complex and multifaceted roles as our spiritual leaders, role models, teachers, cheer leaders, public relations experts, and servants. In addition to regular communication with God and gathering with fellow Christians, each of us needs to be aware of our stressors and the need to deal with them rather than avoid them. We should also be aware of our weaknesses and limitations, learn how our bodies react to stress and what our “red flags” look and feel like, eat healthy and get plenty of physical activity. Then finally, remember to ask others if help is needed. On occasion check with those closest to you on the status of their spiritual, physical, and mental health.


Nate Larsen is a professional counselor and an elder of Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Fergus Falls, MN.