What is Thrive?

Thrive is Indiana Ministries’ pastoral support initiative for pastors serving on staff in Indiana Church of God congregations. Launched through a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. and shaped by both national and local research, Thrive focuses on four essentials that help pastors flourish in ministry: a trusted mentor, meaningful connections with peers, intentional spiritual formation, and access to excellent resources. By providing these supports, Thrive helps pastors grow healthier, serve more effectively, and experience greater fulfillment and sustainability in their calling.

Helping Pastors Flourish

Pastors remain deeply committed to their calling, but the demands of ministry can take a significant personal and vocational toll.
  • Only 52% of pastors describe themselves as very satisfied with their vocation, down from 72% in 2015.
  • Just 43% are very satisfied with their ministry in their current church.
  • More than 60% frequently or sometimes feel emotionally or mentally exhausted.
  • 52% identify their mental and physical health as an area in which they most need help.
  • 41% say they need closer, more supportive relationships.
  • Only 30% identify a mentor or spiritual director as part of their support system.
The encouraging news is that pastors can flourish when they are surrounded by intentional support. Meaningful relationships, trusted mentors, healthy spiritual practices, appropriate boundaries, and opportunities for rest and renewal can help pastors remain healthy, hopeful, and effective in their calling.
 Thrive stands on four pillars: 
1. Mentoring relationships
2. Peer connections
3. Spiritual formation
4. Excellent resources

*The State of Pastors by the Barna group in partnership with Pepperdine University

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