Illinois Pastor Pursues Research in Resilience

Matthew Lucio + AI (see below)

Updated: October 28

For nearly two decades, Chicagoland Pastor David Oceguera (Bolingbrook) found himself working 60 to 70 hours a week as he managed two church locations. Driven by a deep desire for success and growth, he poured his heart into ministry, often sacrificing his own well-being in the process. "I wanted the churches to thrive and do meaningful work," he reflected. However, this intense workload ultimately took a toll on his health, leading to burnout and a panic attack that forced him to confront the unsustainable pace of his life. "I had been focusing too much on my work and not enough on my own health," he admitted. This pivotal experience ignited his commitment to helping other pastors navigate the challenges of ministry.

In his studies, Oceguera is focusing on "Leading Organizational Change." He recognizes that the health and well-being of pastors are crucial for effective leadership, especially in a world that is constantly shifting around them. "Before COVID-19 changed everything, being a pastor was already difficult, but the pandemic made it even harder," he pointed out, observing that many pastors now find themselves on the brink of burnout.

Oceguera organized a retreat centered on building resilience—the ability to recover from difficulties—to help his fellow pastors cope with the unique pressures they face, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and changing societal expectations. The retreat was particularly meaningful as it aligned with Oceguera’s doctoral research on resilience in ministry, a vital topic during Pastors' Appreciation Month.

Pastor Oceguera notes how research conducted by Richard P. DeShon highlights the complexity of pastoral roles, requiring up to 64 different skills. "Being a pastor is not just about preaching on Saturdays," Oceguera noted. Pastors also need to manage counseling, handle finances, and fulfill various other responsibilities. All these expectations can create stress, making it hard for pastors to feel competent and supported.

Oceguera also discussed the challenges brought on by today’s constant communication through smartphones. "In the past, a pastor would have a landline phone and only be reachable at home," he explained. “But now, they can be contacted all the time, which creates additional pressure.” This always-on availability detracts from the personal time pastors need to recharge and find balance.

Furthermore, the changing attitudes toward religion present a significant challenge. Many people today are searching for spiritual fulfillment but do not view the church as the primary place to find it. Instead, they often turn to social media platforms like YouTube or TikTok for spiritual insights. Oceguera remarked that this complicates the already difficult task for pastors, who feel the heavy responsibility to bring back the large congregations of the past. “Some churches look to their pastors as if they alone can fix everything,” he noted, which can weigh heavily on those in leadership positions.

During his retreats and seminars, Oceguera creates spaces for open discussion among pastors. In one of his sessions called “Fill Your Cup,” he encourages pastors to spend intentional time with God and focus on their own needs. The recent retreat sparked lively conversations where pastors shared their struggles and successes, demonstrating the importance of community and support. “After leading these retreats, I see that pastors want to know they’re not alone in their challenges," Oceguera stated.

He identified three main points that pastors consistently expressed after his talks:

They need places where they can feel safe being vulnerable.
Hearing that other pastors experience the same challenges helps them feel hopeful.
Having strong support systems is essential to carry the burdens of pastoral work.

Ultimately, Pastor Oceguera hopes that by teaching resilience, he can help pastors maintain their well-being while leading their communities. He believes that if pastors can remind themselves that they are more than just their jobs, they will find greater joy in their calling. “You are a beloved child of God first, and then a pastor,” he emphasized, encouraging pastors to embrace their identities beyond their roles.

Looking to the future, Oceguera's efforts have already begun to expand beyond his original research. With a grant from VersaCare, he successfully launched a Pastoral Resilience Retreat that brought pastors from across the United States together. The overwhelmingly positive feedback highlighted the critical need for support in ministry. "Healthy pastors lead healthy churches," Oceguera concluded, underscoring the importance of this work not only for their personal well-being but also for the churches they serve. His mission is clear: to help pastors reclaim the joy of ministry once again.

For more information, visit https://www.resilientuniversity.org

We need your help sharing how God is working in the Illinois Conference. Please send any news items from around the Illinois Conference to communication@ilcsda.org.

*On AI.

While we see the incredible applications of artificial intelligence in many areas of our ministry, we also are aware that it is still an imperfect technology. Therefore, we will notify the reader whenever AI is used in composing anything on our website in full transparency. In this case, we conducted an interview with Pastor Oceguera and had AI turn it into the article. It was then proof-read by a human and adjusted where necessary to ensure accuracy. Please contact us at communication@ilcsda.org if you have any questions.