You pour yourself out for others every week. This is a quiet, confidential place to check in on you—built by a licensed therapist who has walked alongside church workers for nearly 20 years.
Free • Private • Scored instantly in your browser—nothing is stored.
Ministry is deeply meaningful, but the constant exposure to others' pain takes a toll. You are not weak, and you are not alone. Here is what the studies show.
Large surveys of pastors consistently find that a substantial minority experience emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of accomplishment—the three classic markers of burnout.
Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103–111.Those who help the suffering are themselves at risk of secondary traumatic stress. The ProQOL scale was developed precisely to help caregivers name and monitor this hidden cost of caring.
Stamm, B. H. (2010). The Concise ProQOL Manual (2nd ed.). Pocatello, ID: ProQOL.org.Studies of ministry populations report rates of depression and anxiety at or above the general population, often compounded by isolation, boundary-less schedules, and the pressure to appear "fine."
Proeschold-Bell, R. J., et al. (2013). Clergy depression & anxiety. Journal of Primary Prevention, 34(6).
"You don't have to suffer in silence, and you don't have to carry this alone."
Jim Otremba has dedicated his career to the stewardship of the “earthen vessel,” helping church workers find the healing and balance necessary for a lifetime of service. Holding an M.Div. and an M.S. in applied psychology, Jim has been a licensed therapist in MN since 1997. As the earthly steward and CEO of a Christian-based mental health clinic in St. Cloud and a doctoral candidate (ABD) in Psychology, he bridges 21st-century science with the timeless truths of Scripture. Learn more at www.thecenterforfamilycounseling.com.
Jim speaks from the heart of a father and husband; married to his best friend Maureen since 1995 and a long-time stay-at-home dad to three adult children—including two with special needs—he understands the complexities of a full life.
For over twenty years, Jim has served as a trusted ally to LCMS pastors and lay church workers across the Midwest, helping them move toward the abundant life promised in John 10:10 through creating and sustaining resilient ministry.
Start Your Free Check-InThe ProQOL, GAD-7, PHQ-9, and ACE—scored privately, right here, with encouraging, plain-language results. Please read the notice below before you begin.
Important Clinical & Educational Notice
Self-Assessment Disclaimer & Terms of Use
CRISIS NOTICE: If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, severe emotional distress, or a medical emergency, please stop and call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US & Canada), call 911, or contact your local emergency services immediately. This website is not monitored for emergencies and does not provide crisis intervention.
The questionnaires provided on this website—including the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire—are standardized self-reporting tools offered solely for educational, psychoeducational, and self-reflection purposes.
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Consult a Professional: If your scores indicate moderate to severe symptoms, or if you are experiencing distress that impacts your daily life, relationships, or ministry, we strongly encourage you to discuss these results with a licensed therapist or physician.
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Pastors, principals, and teachers across the LCMS have walked this path—here is what a few of them shared.
As an individual, I have always had some extra challenges in fighting off feelings of depression, and sometimes feelings of having little or no purpose. These are exacerbated by the insomnia I often struggle with.
One thing I especially appreciated about Jim's classes was that he immediately hit the ground running with things I could actively do right away. I loved that there was “homework”—things to do—immediately, but that they were small, manageable alterations in my schedule, and things I could easily see making a part of my everyday life. It became much simpler to regularly meditate on God's truth, instead of simply letting my mind “slip down” to where it naturally wanted to go—which was generally into the accusing or despairing thoughts of the devil.
I am continually surprised at how quickly I have positive results through the small, daily activities I have learned from Jim's class. So many aspects of my daily life have gotten so much easier—without me even thinking about them! Almost without realizing it, many of my own habits and daily patterns have been changing. Without any fanfare, I realized that I had more energy during the day, and was naturally choosing to do more constructive things with my time than I had before. I am much more calm and naturally cheerful as I do my work; it feels easier—and just more natural—to clean and organize the space around me in my home, do extra chores, take walks, and create a pleasant and happy environment where I live.
Finally, I have noticed how much more time and energy I have to give to the work I do in church and school.
The classes were quite helpful. There have been many stressors in my first year of ministry (and marriage), but I've used much of what I learned through your classes to help. The concrete practices you suggest are simple and easy to do—profundity and simplicity often go hand in hand. I pray that you continue to offer this course. It is most helpful and necessary.
I found the classes to be helpful and informative. I especially appreciated learning about things like how much time the average person spends consuming media, how pesticides on our food can affect us, and how the brain functions—not to mention how helpful Intentional Christian Breathing can be! Thank you for the resources. Blessings on your continued work.
Looking ahead to the school year, it will be a stress-filled year. I think these tools will prove to be a life-saver and a ministry-saver.
I believe that these techniques and strategies could not only help me as a church worker but also help in dealing with the students and staff that I work with.
A reminder for positive self-talk—and to set a good example for the kids by practicing what I preach.
When I am peaceful, I can help my children be peaceful.
A little more about compassion fatigue, the class, and who this is for.
Compassion fatigue is a real and often overlooked challenge faced by many church workers. Constant exposure to suffering, pain, and the weight of others' burdens can take a significant toll on your emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. It can show up as exhaustion, anxiety, and a reduced sense of accomplishment—but it responds to care.
Any lay or ordained person doing ministry as a church worker—pastors, deacons, deaconesses, parish nurses, youth ministers, DCEs, church musicians, Christian teachers, doctors, nurses, and lay leaders. If you pour yourself out for others, this is for you. You are not alone, and you don't have to suffer in silence.
We use a gentle, proven four-step framework: Naming compassion fatigue (often beginning with the free ProQOL assessment), Taming it through simple “quick wins,” Retraining your brain to sustain those wins, and Maintaining healthier spiritual, mental, and physical habits over time.
Yes. Your first class in The Renewed Mind is completely free. After that, ongoing lessons continue on a simple parish subscription: $45/month for up to 5 church workers (or $29.95/month when paid yearly), and $90/month for up to 10 workers (or $59.90/month when paid yearly)—so both lay and ordained church workers can access it from the comfort of home, anytime.
No. The assessments (ProQOL, GAD-7, PHQ-9, and ACE) are standardized self-reflection tools for education only. They are scored privately in your browser and are never stored. They are not a substitute for professional care—if anything concerns you, please reach out to a licensed professional.
Jim Otremba (M.Div, M.S., LICSW) is a licensed therapist in Minnesota who has experienced compassion fatigue and anxiety himself. Since the early 2000s he has walked alongside many church workers, witnessing how God brings restoration, healing, and renewed purpose.
Your first class is always free. When you're ready to continue, choose the parish plan that fits your team—so every worker can access it from home, anytime. Pay yearly and save.
Billed monthly.
That's about $9/month per worker — or just $5.99/month per worker when paid yearly.
Billed monthly.
That's about $9/month per worker — or just $5.99/month per worker when paid yearly.
Every plan begins with a free first class—no payment needed to start. Prices are in U.S. dollars. Reserve your spot below and we'll send your access link when the class opens January 1, 2027.
Biblical Truth. Modern Brain Science. Real Peace.
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
A self-paced class for LCMS church workers—gentle, practical teaching on recognizing compassion fatigue and negative stress before they wear you down, and grace-filled steps toward rest, resilience, and renewed peace in your calling. Your first class is completely free.
After your free first class, ongoing lessons and support continue on a simple monthly subscription—so both lay and ordained church workers can access it from the comfort of home, anytime. Reserve your spot today, and we'll email your access link the moment the free first class goes live on January 1, 2027.
First class free • No spam, ever • We'll only email you about the class and you can unsubscribe anytime.
Answer honestly and at your own pace. Each one is scored instantly in your browser—nothing is saved or sent. There are no "right" answers here, only honest ones.
