Date

7-22-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)

Chair

Alvin W. Dockett

Keywords

Pastoral burnout, job fatigue, feelings of isolation

Disciplines

Educational Leadership

Abstract

This dissertation explores how to alleviate the burden on senior pastors to create more effective ministers. This research aims to explore the implications of the pastoral chair’s duties and responsibilities and focuses on how the church community can support the senior pastor through encouragement and awareness of the importance of maintaining the pastoral chair’s mental, emotional, and professional health. This research features a comprehensive literature review on the current state of senior pastors’ professional health and the impact that overwhelming duties and responsibilities impose on their professional confidence, ministry, and overall sense of productivity and accomplishment in providing pastoral services to their parishioners. The foundation of this research will involve the recruitment of lay leaders and implementing more training and service opportunities for those to serve in non-denominational capacities to provide ministry services to parishioners through visitation, eucharistic services, and Christian education growth and development. Generally, this dissertation and its research will contribute to the functionality of the church and the effective distribution of pastoral services from clergy and lay leaders operating in non-denominational roles.

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