What does a resilient pastor look like? 

Dr. Mark Dance, Executive Director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, recently led a breakout session at the SBTC Annual Convention. He was partnering with Guidestone, having previously served with them, and he shared a few insights regarding the health and resilience of pastors. In his presentation, he shared 3 characteristics of a resilient Pastor. 

3 Characteristics of a Resilient Pastor

1. Resilient Pastors Don’t Quit.

Dr. Dance elaborated on the overuse of straw polls that suggest that pastors are leaving ministry in droves, which he asserts is simply NOT TRUE! In his presentation, he urged us to find the studies and to validate the data and see that pastors are not leaving the ministry nearly as much as the anecdotal stories suggest. A Lifeway Research Study recently shared this statement: 

“The percentage of pastors who leave for reasons other than retirement or death has remained statistically unchanged over the past decade: 1.3% in 2015, 1.5% in 2021 and 1.2% in 2025."

Yes, pastors are working hard. Yes, their ministry context is likely very different from what it was just 5 years ago. And yes, pastors are constantly being confronted with new challenges, but the data suggest that they are not leaving ministry but are having a difficult time doing it. 

2. Resilient Pastors Don’t Coast.

During this breakout session, Dr. Dance mentioned other studies of younger pastors that identified 3 key areas where they feel they need the most help. As he spoke about this topic, he encouraged all pastors, young and old, to be cautious in coasting through their ministry. He was talking to all pastors, regardless of age, time in position, and any other metric, to not get settled into a position of ministry and just coast through it. Some of the factors that he suggested contributed to a pastor's temptation to coast were:

1) Personal Financial Stress

2) Mental Health

3) Physical Health

As he pointed out these areas, he encouraged pastors to find help, to continue to build their networks of support with other pastors, and to take action in any or all of these areas. Pastors, especially, should know that everyone needs help, and they should not hesitate to ask and to find resources that help them not just survive in ministry but to thrive in their calling. 

3. Resilient Pastors Don’t Strut. 

Sometimes people walk into a room and act like they have it all figured out. To be clear, there is nothing wrong with being confident and ready, but it is that next level that usually causes people to be uncomfortable. Pastors work hard, and they, being human, often seek validation for their hard work. (This is not just reserved for pastors but simplified to illustrate a point. )This is not inherently a bad thing. But when we lose sight of WHO (JESUS) we are working for and instead focus on who(me) is doing the work….things can get a little out of balance.  Dr. Dance addressed this, and he likewise suggested that we intentionally extend grace to those who strut and to pray for them, and for ourselves, that we might not be guilty of the same behaviors. Biblically, he pointed to John the Baptist, who in John 1:20 clearly understood that he himself was “not the Christ.” Hard work is expected and required, but to quote Dr. Dance, 

“Churchoholics are not heroes; they are bad stewards of God’s resources.”- Dr. Mark Dance

Pastors, we know you work hard. And we appreciate everything that you do for God’s Kingdom. We believe God has called us to do this eternity-changing kingdom work together. That is one of the strengths of working together in the San Felipe Baptist Association. There is more work to be done than any of us can ever hope or imagine to do on our own, so we Collaborate in Christ to Reach the Lost, Raise the Next Generation of Church Leaders, and Revitalize the Church. 

As we look to the future and all that God has put before us, we are making plans to better serve the churches of our Association. On Wednesday, November 5, 2025 we will have our Annual Meeting and discuss our 2026 ministry budget and elect leaders for our Administrative Team. We would love for you to be there and to celebrate and plan with us as we serve and encourage pastors and churches to be resilient in the amazing ministry God has called us to do together!

Come celebrate 77 years with us and help us plan for 2026. We will have a business meeting to discuss next year's budget and a few other items, and a time for equipping and collaborating with other churches in our association. 

The San Felipe Baptist Association is excited to celebrate Pastor Paul Cockrell of Waypoint Church. Pastor Paul is a compassionate and visionary leader whose love for God’s Word and passion for the local church shines brightly in all he does. He has a heart for people, a deep commitment to discipleship, and a desire to see the gospel transform lives in our communities and beyond.

One of Pastor Paul’s greatest strengths is his collaborative spirit. He understands that kingdom work is bigger than one church, and he has become a trusted partner with other congregations and organizations devoted to gospel ministry. His generosity, humility, and openness to work alongside others have helped strengthen the reach of the church in profound ways. Under his leadership, Waypoint Church has developed into a community that reflects these same values of hospitality, partnership, and service.

Pastor Paul is also deeply committed to equipping believers to live out their faith in practical ways. He encourages his church family to reach into their circles of influence with love and intentionality, ministering to neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family. He believes that discipleship is not just about Sunday mornings, but about everyday living—being the presence of Christ wherever God has placed us. This vision shapes the way he preaches, teaches, and leads, calling the church to live on mission together.

Beyond the pulpit, Pastor Paul is a warm and generous friend. He enjoys live music, fishing, and spending quality time with his wife and kids. These moments of rest and joy fuel his ministry and reflect his belief in the importance of family and balance in the life of a pastor.

We are grateful for Pastor Paul Cockrell and his faithful leadership at Waypoint Church. His compassion, his love for God’s Word, and his commitment to church planting and discipleship inspire us all. The San Felipe Baptist Association celebrates him today with joy and gratitude, thankful for the ways God is using him to build His Kingdom.