2025 Clergy Well-Being Survey Results Show Signs of Stabilization Amid Ongoing Health Challenges
September 17, 2025
Media Contact:
Christina Tincher
Managing Director, Communications
(847) 866-5293
[email protected]
Glenview, IL (September 17, 2025) — Wespath Benefits and Investments (Wespath) has released the results of its eighth biennial Clergy Well-Being Survey, offering updated insights into the health and well-being of United Methodist clergy. Find the full report on the Wespath website.
This year’s survey collected data from over 1,500 clergy in The United Methodist Church, representing a wide range of demographics and ministry settings. The 2025 results show signs of stabilization in several key areas of health and well-being, even as notable areas of concern remain—particularly when compared to national benchmarks.
Overall perceived health and well-being among clergy has held steady since the 2023 survey. However, the percentage of clergy reporting “excellent” or “very good” health is approximately 10 percentage points lower than the matched U.S. benchmark. This underscores the unique health and well-being challenges that clergy face in their daily lives.
Clergy’s emotional well-being shows mixed results. Rates of depression and functional difficulties due to depressive symptoms have stabilized, though they remain higher than national averages. Encouragingly, more clergy are receiving treatment for depression, suggesting improved access to care and greater willingness by clergy to seek support.
Work-related stress for clergy also shows signs of improvement. Feelings of loneliness and isolation have stabilized, and fewer clergy report feeling overwhelmed by congregational demands. Additionally, the number of full-time clergy working more than 51 hours per week has declined, indicating a shift toward healthier work-life balance.
“The 2025 survey results show that while clergy continue to face significant challenges to their overall well-being, we are seeing some stabilization in key areas,” says Kelly Wittich, Director of Health and Well-Being at Wespath. “Stabilization in emotional health and work-related stress is encouraging, and the increase in treatment for depression is a positive step. Still, the gap in overall health compared to the general population reminds us that the Church still has work to do to help clergy prioritize their own well-being—both for their own benefit and for the good of the congregations and communities they serve.”
Wespath conducts this survey as part of its mission to care for those who serve, supporting clergy through a holistic approach focused on five dimensions of well-being: physical, emotional, spiritual, social and financial. The survey also highlights disparities based on race, age, gender, location and church size, helping inform targeted support efforts.
The 2025 findings will help guide Wespath’s ongoing programs and initiatives aimed at improving clergy well-being. These include educational resources, mental health support, and collaborative efforts across the denomination to address systemic challenges.
Wespath will continue facilitating conversations around clergy well-being, engaging leaders and members across the United Methodist connection. By working together to address the needs identified in this survey, Wespath remains committed to supporting the holistic well-being of clergy and the communities they serve.
About Wespath Benefits and Investments
Wespath is a not-for-profit agency that has been serving The United Methodist Church (UMC) since 1908. In accordance with its fiduciary duties, Wespath administers benefit plans and, together with its subsidiaries, including Wespath Institutional Investments, invests nearly $26 billion in assets on behalf of over 100,000 participants and over 150 United Methodist institutions (as of December 31, 2024). Wespath invests in a sustainable manner that seeks to achieve positive financial, social and environmental impact while upholding the values of the UMC. Wespath maintains one of the largest faith-based pension funds in the world. For additional information about Wespath, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Christina Tincher
Managing Director, Communications
(847) 866-5293
[email protected]
Glenview, IL (September 17, 2025) — Wespath Benefits and Investments (Wespath) has released the results of its eighth biennial Clergy Well-Being Survey, offering updated insights into the health and well-being of United Methodist clergy. Find the full report on the Wespath website.
This year’s survey collected data from over 1,500 clergy in The United Methodist Church, representing a wide range of demographics and ministry settings. The 2025 results show signs of stabilization in several key areas of health and well-being, even as notable areas of concern remain—particularly when compared to national benchmarks.
Overall perceived health and well-being among clergy has held steady since the 2023 survey. However, the percentage of clergy reporting “excellent” or “very good” health is approximately 10 percentage points lower than the matched U.S. benchmark. This underscores the unique health and well-being challenges that clergy face in their daily lives.
Clergy’s emotional well-being shows mixed results. Rates of depression and functional difficulties due to depressive symptoms have stabilized, though they remain higher than national averages. Encouragingly, more clergy are receiving treatment for depression, suggesting improved access to care and greater willingness by clergy to seek support.
Work-related stress for clergy also shows signs of improvement. Feelings of loneliness and isolation have stabilized, and fewer clergy report feeling overwhelmed by congregational demands. Additionally, the number of full-time clergy working more than 51 hours per week has declined, indicating a shift toward healthier work-life balance.
“The 2025 survey results show that while clergy continue to face significant challenges to their overall well-being, we are seeing some stabilization in key areas,” says Kelly Wittich, Director of Health and Well-Being at Wespath. “Stabilization in emotional health and work-related stress is encouraging, and the increase in treatment for depression is a positive step. Still, the gap in overall health compared to the general population reminds us that the Church still has work to do to help clergy prioritize their own well-being—both for their own benefit and for the good of the congregations and communities they serve.”
Wespath conducts this survey as part of its mission to care for those who serve, supporting clergy through a holistic approach focused on five dimensions of well-being: physical, emotional, spiritual, social and financial. The survey also highlights disparities based on race, age, gender, location and church size, helping inform targeted support efforts.
The 2025 findings will help guide Wespath’s ongoing programs and initiatives aimed at improving clergy well-being. These include educational resources, mental health support, and collaborative efforts across the denomination to address systemic challenges.
Wespath will continue facilitating conversations around clergy well-being, engaging leaders and members across the United Methodist connection. By working together to address the needs identified in this survey, Wespath remains committed to supporting the holistic well-being of clergy and the communities they serve.
About Wespath Benefits and Investments
Wespath is a not-for-profit agency that has been serving The United Methodist Church (UMC) since 1908. In accordance with its fiduciary duties, Wespath administers benefit plans and, together with its subsidiaries, including Wespath Institutional Investments, invests nearly $26 billion in assets on behalf of over 100,000 participants and over 150 United Methodist institutions (as of December 31, 2024). Wespath invests in a sustainable manner that seeks to achieve positive financial, social and environmental impact while upholding the values of the UMC. Wespath maintains one of the largest faith-based pension funds in the world. For additional information about Wespath, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.