English
Korean
Spanish
Would you wish your life in Christ on anyone?
That’s a question I often ask pastors when I meet with them, whether in groups or one on one.
Every time, the question seems to land like a gut punch. It’s not about whether we would share the gospel. It’s deeper: Is God doing such a work in you—are you so abiding in Him, so enjoying Him—that you would want anyone else to experience what you’re experiencing in your walk with Christ?
Sadly, many pastors would answer “no.” Recent Barna research shows that only 21% of pastors over 45 say they are thriving in their well-being, and among pastors under 45, the number drops to just 7%. That’s sobering. The very shepherds entrusted to care for the flock are often running on empty themselves.
I’ve developed a talk entitled “Do This and Live” based on Luke 10, where Jesus affirms the two greatest commandments: to love God with all we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves. When Jesus said, “Do this and you will live,” He used a word that doesn’t just mean “exist.” It means to thrive, to flourish, to live with zeal. I believe Jesus was pointing us to the abundant life He promised in John 10:10.
“We can—and must—tend to our own souls. Wouldn’t you rather face conflict, discouragement, or even criticism from a place of health rather than from depletion?”
That’s why this matters. At the end of the day, the only thing we can truly control is our walk with God. We can’t control who shows up on Sunday, who gives, or what people think of our sermons. But we can—and must—tend to our own souls. Wouldn’t you rather face conflict, discouragement, or even criticism from a place of health rather than from depletion?
Here’s the truth: Too many pastors reach out for help only when they’re already in crisis—burned out, ready to quit, or spiritually dry. In our Church Health and Leadership department, we want to meet pastors upstream—before burnout takes root.
That’s why we’re launching a six-month initiative called THRIVE. These cohorts bring together 5–10 pastors in a region once a month to focus on five key areas of wellness: spiritual, marital, physical, financial, and personal uniqueness. Each month, pastors read a book, process it together, and hold one another accountable in a peer-to-peer setting. It’s real, relational, and refreshing.
Right now, we’re beta testing THRIVE with groups across Texas, gathering feedback before rolling it out statewide in 2026. Our prayer is simple: healthier pastors leading healthier churches.
So let me return to the question: Would you wish your life in Christ on anyone? If not, it doesn’t have to stay that way. You can thrive in Christ, and we want to walk with you as you do.
For more information about THRIVE, or to explore how you can be part of a cohort, email jlynn@sbtexas.com.
