From Burnout to Breakthrough: A Pastor’s Unexpected Second Calling

By Colleen Hill I Hartford Institute for Religion Research

After four years of ministry at Hampstead Congregational Church, Rev. Kathy Youzwak started feeling the burnout and made the difficult decision to step down in November 2023. The weight of shepherding an entire congregation through the COVID-19 pandemic– with all its emotional demands and responsibilities – had become more than she could sustainably carry.  

When COVID-19 restrictions emptied church sanctuaries across America, thousands of pastors found themselves questioning their calling. But for some, like Youzwak, the end of one ministry became an unexpected doorway to another.  

“It’s so interesting because before I was called (to pulpit supply), I said, well, I couldn’t imagine coming in and leaving a church like transitional ministers do,” Youzwak said. 

But as it turns out, transitional ministers weren’t far off from what she would be doing herself.  

Overcoming the Burnout

Now serving as a pulpit supply pastor,  Youzwak steps in wherever churches need temporary leadership. For many, this means stepping in for churches whose pastors are on sabbatical, or for churches without a permanent pastor. Through pulpit supply, she’s found a way to focus on what she loves most about ministry – preaching, and teaching – without the demanding schedule that once wore her down.  

“I really enjoy preaching a lot, and so that’s really what pulpit supply is, and it lacks the drama of being a pastor, and it’s lovely to be able to leave after Sunday service and not have the responsibility of a congregation,” she said. 

Much different from her previous position serving one congregation, Youzwak enjoys being able to meet and experience the cultures and personalities of several different congregations, while integrating them into her own community.

“In these other congregations, I get to know people, which is nice and fun, and then I leave them. Which is actually kind of fun too, to see the different churches and how they operate and their functions and dysfunctions and just their different personalities,” she said.  

Before the pandemic upended church life, Youzwak had spent two years as a pulpit supply pastor in New Jersey from 2017 to 2019. Now, as she returns to this familiar role, she brings both fresh energy and deeper wisdom to the pulpit. Her return comes at a critical time – the need for temporary pastors has never been greater, as congregations across the country grapple with the aftermath of COVID-19. Many churches are aging, shrinking, and still struggling to rebuild their communities after years of disruption. 

“I think the main reality is there are fewer pastors, and some of that’s COVID like myself, who left a church ministry. A lot of that is also the age of pastors, many of them are retiring,” says  Youzwak, “pulpit supply is a very needed ministry as a sabbatical coverage because there are very few pastors out there that are free to do that kind of thing”.  

According to research from the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations study with the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, church life as we know it has completely shifted since the pandemic, highlighting this reality that Rev. Youzwak has noted. Congregations are aging on every level – from their members and leadership to their physical buildings. Young people are increasingly absent from the pews, while those who do attend are gravitating toward larger churches. Despite some recovery after COVID-19, most congregations haven’t returned to their pre-pandemic strength. Less than half have regained their former attendance numbers or financial stability, signaling a fundamental shift in American religious life rather than a temporary disruption.  

After being forced to adapt rapidly during the pandemic, many churches have now retreated from change. The burst of flexibility that helped congregations survive COVID-19 has largely faded. Ironically, despite living through a period that proved their ability to transform, churches today are even more resistant to change than before the pandemic.  

“We are finding that pulpit supply clergy are necessary when many churches become too small to adequately support a full-time pastor with too few clergies wanting to work part-time, says Dr. Scott Thumma of The Hartford Institute for Religion Research, “This leaves many smaller churches without a pastor, thus pulpit supply clergy are essential and may be good for clergy mental health”. This growing resistance to change comes at a time when continued adaptation such as the incorporation of pulpit supply pastors like Kathy may be crucial for survival. 

With her more flexible schedule,  Youzwak has embraced new passions alongside her ministry. She’s stepped into a leadership role at an environmental organization where she had previously volunteered, but could never fully commit due to her pastoral duties. The lighter workload has also allowed her to pursue another calling: fostering and adopting kittens, bringing new life and joy into her home.