The Clergy Wellness Podcast
Welcome to the Clergy Wellness Podcast, a podcast that supports you in doing one of the hardest jobs in the world without losing yourself. I am your host, Rev. Nicole Reilley - a United Methodist Pastor with 35 years of experience as a local church pastor and a Certified Coach with The Life Coach School and The International Coaching Federation (PCC). Join me each week as we explore topics that matter to pastors.
The Clergy Wellness Podcast
What the Data Demands — Clergy Well-Being in 2025 & Beyond
Season 4, Episode 15 - What the Data Demands — Clergy Well-Being in 2025 & Beyond
How are clergy really doing in 2025? Several major surveys offer a sobering look:
- Wespath 2025 Clergy Well-Being Survey
— Clergy report higher rates of obesity, hypertension, financial stress, and loneliness compared to benchmarks. - Duke Clergy Health Initiative – Mental Health Trends Report
— Symptoms of depression and burnout rose through 2021 and remain at high levels. - Hartford Institute Clergy Discontentment Report
— 44% of clergy have considered leaving their congregation; more than half have considered leaving ministry altogether. - Lifeway Research on Pastoral Retention
— While only 1% of pastors leave annually, many stay despite deep exhaustion; 22% cite burnout when they do leave.
In this episode, we unpack what these numbers mean for long-term sustainability in ministry and offer practical steps to help clergy thrive: caring for physical and emotional health, clarifying finances, nurturing relationships, and advocating for systemic change.
💻 Connect + Resources:
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📬 Contact: RevReilley@gmail.com
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