A Phenomenological Study of Religious Pastors at Risk for Burnou

A critical number of pastors experience burnout and exit the vocation from pastoral demands. However, very little research addresses the phenomenon of burnout from the perspective of active clergy. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate the perceptions and lived-experiences of active pastors in U.S. Protestant churches, due to pastoral demands. This study explored and described 10 Protestant male pastors living in Central Florida, discerning their experiences regarding their physical and socioemotional well-being, pastoral call and duties, and family relationships. The intent of this phenomenological research design was to gain understanding of the lived experiences of pastors who show some initial signs of exhaustion and to identify key themes that lead to increased stress and pastoral fatigue. The two research questions that guided this study were, What are the lived experiences of pastoral duties and responsibilities among Protestant pastors who are at risk of burnout? and What factors in the religious community and at home affect stress and risk of burnout among Protestant pastors? Study findings illustrated that the lived experiences of pastoral duties and responsibilities among Protestant pastors who are at risk of exhaustion included their family and church responsibilities, their relationships with other pastors, and their sense of call. Findings also indicated that factors in the religious community and at home affected stress and risk of fatigue among participating Protestant pastors.