A Wait-List Control Study on the Effectiveness of a Christian Mindfulness Intervention for Pastors on Mindfulness State and Burnout

Abstract Pastors face burnout due to the myriad of roles and stressors in pastoral ministry (Adams & Hough, 2017, Pastoral Psychology, 66(2), 147–175). Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to improve emotional regulation and stress management (Proeschold-Bell et al. 2023 Journal of Primary Prevention , 34(6), 439–453). The purpose of this study was to determine if a 6-week Christian mindfulness intervention of 10 audio-based Christian mindfulness modules delivered by email on a weekly basis to a diverse sample of pastoral clergy would improve mindfulness state and reduce burnout. The researchers used an experimental study design comparing pre- and post-scores of a wait-list control group to an intervention group to determine the effectiveness of the Christian mindfulness intervention for pastors on mindfulness state, as measured by the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS), and on burnout, as measured by the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). ANCOVA tests were conducted separately for both the MAAS and CBI. Open-ended questions assessed motivations of pastors to stay or leave the ministry. Results indicate that pastors’ mindfulness state significantly improved after the 6-week Christian mindfulness intervention when compared with the wait-list control. However, pastors’ burnout scores did not show any significant improvement at post-test; they reported low burnout scores overall at both pre- and post-test. A majority of the pastors (90%) in this study identified a sense of calling or purpose in their role. Discussion on the benefits of mindfulness for pastors follows, as well as on the meaning of pastors’ calling as a positive factor worth further investigation.