Check On Each Other

In a recent conversation with a retiring pastor, I was given a specific request. He said in essence, “Encourage the KBC staff, and they are already doing this, to keep checking on pastors and find out how they are really doing.” 

The Kentucky Baptist Convention was created by churches for churches to help churches reach Kentucky and the world for Christ. One thing that KBC Mission Board staff members love doing is helping leaders be successful in their ministry. Part of that help is to care about the well-being of those leaders. 

Not only does our KBC Mission Board staff care about the well-being of Kentucky Baptist pastors, staff and ministry leaders, but KBC pastors and ministry leaders also care about one another.  

Why is it important that we continue to check on one another to find out how we are really doing? Here are five reasons. 

1. Because some ministry leaders are isolated: Kentucky is a rural state and many of our pastors are serving in places where they may not have close fellowship with other ministry leaders. A 2023 Church Leader article says, “Barna Research discovered that 61% of pastors are lonely and have few close friends. The loneliest people in churches are often pastors.” For this reason, we need to be intentional in our care for one another.  

2. Because some ministry leaders feel defeated: While social media can be a great tool for celebrating the good things happening in a local church, it can also be a source of despair for those who compare themselves to other leaders or who judge their own ministry effectiveness by looking at the apparent success of their peers. Sometimes we can be “iron sharpening iron” friends to other pastors, elders or ministry leaders by helping them see how God is at work in their life or place of ministry.  

3. Because some ministry leaders are under attack: 1 Peter 5:8 is an eye-opening reminder for all in ministry leadership. Peter writes, “Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Dr. Chuck Lawless wrote this about ministry leaders and spiritual warfare: “Here’s what I’ve learned through the years: no leader expects to fail, and few recognize their own dangerous steps in the wrong direction. They come to their senses only after failure has cost them much.” Since many of our ministry colleagues are under spiritual attack, we can serve them well by reaching out occasionally to hear how they are doing.  

4. Because some ministry leaders are close to sinning: One does not need to read very far in the Bible before discovering ministry heroes sinning greatly against God. 1 Corinthians 10:12 reminds every believer, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” Pastors, elders and ministry leaders struggle with the same temptations as those they lead, and it might be that your phone call, visit or text can be just what is needed to help your friend fight for holiness.  

5. Because some ministry leaders are suffering in silence: In her book Joyful Sorrow, Julie Busler shares a quote from Elizabeth Wurtzel describing the pernicious nature of depression. She writes, “That’s the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end. The fog is like a cage without a key.”   

A May 2025 article in Baptist Press highlighted the struggle being faced by many pastors. “Barna, in its latest ‘State of the Pastors study’ released in 2024, said 18 percent of Protestant senior pastors in the U.S. said they had at least contemplated suicide or self-harm within the previous 12 months.” That is a shocking statistic. Our intentional efforts to care for our ministry colleagues may create a space where someone can be transparent about their challenges and move toward receiving the help they need to get through a challenging time.  

Years ago, my maternal grandfather was nearing the end of his life in a western Kentucky hospital. I would occasionally spend the night in his hospital room just to be with him. His physician, Dr. Frank Giannini III, would check on Papaw during his evening rounds. Before leaving the room, he would always say to us, “Be good to each other.” It was a simple reminder that caring for those we love is our responsibility. May the Lord be pleased to use each of us to care for our ministry colleagues by checking in occasionally to hear how we are doing.