Michael is joined by Joe Jensen, former pastor and Senior VP at Barna Group, to discuss sobering new research about the mental health of today's church leaders.

Barna's latest data reveals a staggering truth: nearly 1 in 5 Protestant senior pastors in the U.S. have contemplated self-harm or suicide in the past year. Joe brings firsthand experience and deep insight into what’s behind the growing crisis—and how the church can respond.

 Key Highlights:


Loneliness in Leadership: Why pastors often feel isolated—even while surrounded by people.


Spiritual Burnout: How unrealistic expectations and lack of community can erode a pastor's well-being.


The Role of Elders & Boards: Rethinking leadership structures to better care for church leaders.


Changing the Scorecard: Redefining what “success” looks like for pastors and churches.


Practical Solutions: Mentorship, professional counseling, and local pastor-to-pastor connections as lifelines.


Congregational Care: The power of asking, “How are you really doing?” and praying with your pastor in person.

To explore Barna’s full research, visit: https://www.barna.com

🗣️ Let us know what you thought of the episode—tag us on social with #CrosswalkTalk and share your reflections.

🎧 Want more stories that inspire, encourage, and help you walk in faith?
Subscribe and listen to more episodes on LifeAudio.com — your go-to destination for faith-filled conversations, devotionals, and uplifting podcasts that speak to the heart.

Michael is joined by Joe Jensen, former pastor and Senior VP at Barna Group, to discuss sobering new research about the mental health of today's church leaders.
Barna's latest data reveals a staggering truth: nearly 1 in 5 Protestant senior pastors in the U.S. have contemplated self-harm or suicide in the past year. Joe brings firsthand experience and deep insight into what&rsquo;s behind the growing crisis&mdash;and how the church can respond.
<hr data-start="861" data-end="864">
&nbsp;Key Highlights:
<ul data-start="889" data-end="1525">
<li data-start="889" data-end="985">
Loneliness in Leadership: Why pastors often feel isolated&mdash;even while surrounded by people.
</li>
<li data-start="986" data-end="1094">
Spiritual Burnout: How unrealistic expectations and lack of community can erode a pastor's well-being.
</li>
<li data-start="1095" data-end="1197">
The Role of Elders &amp; Boards: Rethinking leadership structures to better care for church leaders.
</li>
<li data-start="1198" data-end="1290">
Changing the Scorecard: Redefining what &ldquo;success&rdquo; looks like for pastors and churches.
</li>
<li data-start="1291" data-end="1407">
Practical Solutions: Mentorship, professional counseling, and local pastor-to-pastor connections as lifelines.
</li>
<li data-start="1408" data-end="1525">
Congregational Care: The power of asking, &ldquo;How are you really doing?&rdquo; and praying with your pastor in person.
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
To explore Barna&rsquo;s full research, visit: <a href="https://www.barna.com" data-start="2068" data-end="2114">https://www.barna.com</a>
🗣️ Let us know what you thought of the episode&mdash;tag us on social with #CrosswalkTalk and share your reflections.
<hr>
🎧&nbsp;Want more stories that inspire, encourage, and help you walk in faith? Subscribe and listen to more episodes on <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com" data-start="253" data-end="295">LifeAudio.com</a> &mdash; your go-to destination for faith-filled conversations, devotionals, and uplifting podcasts that speak to the heart.

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.

Some of our favorite interviews include:

⭐️ Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins Discuss Their Heartwarming Children's Book on Prayer

⭐️ Patricia Heaton and David Hunt Talk Faith, Life and Their Adoption Film Unexpected

⭐️ Willie and Korie Robertson Open Up About The Blind and the Generational Impact of Faith

⭐️ Phil Wickham Talks New Album, Songwriting, and the Deconstruction Movement

Let us know what famous Christian celebrities you want us to interview for the show!

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.
Some of our favorite interviews include:
⭐️ Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins Discuss Their Heartwarming Children's Book on Prayer
⭐️ Patricia Heaton and David Hunt Talk Faith, Life and Their Adoption Film Unexpected
⭐️ Willie and Korie Robertson Open Up About The Blind and the Generational Impact of Faith
⭐️ Phil Wickham Talks New Album, Songwriting, and the Deconstruction Movement
Let us know what famous Christian celebrities you want us to interview for the show!

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.

Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.
Some of our favorite interviews include:
⭐️ Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins Discuss Their Heartwarming Children's Book on Prayer
⭐️ Patricia Heaton and David Hunt Talk Faith, Life and Their Adoption Film Unexpected
⭐️ Willie and Korie Robertson Open Up About The Blind and the Generational Impact of Faith
⭐️ Phil Wickham Talks New Album, Songwriting, and the Deconstruction Movement
Let us know what famous Christian celebrities you want us to interview for the show!