Cultivating a Healthy Soul

Guest: Ron Cook, Founder of Care for Pastors
Topic: Cultivating a Healthy Soul

In this episode of the Care for Pastors Podcast, host Robby Bolden continues our Habits of Healthy Pastors series with a vital conversation on soul care with Ron Cook, founder of Care for Pastors.

Ron draws from nearly five decades of ministry to share how neglecting his own soul nearly derailed his life and leadership—and how rediscovering the priority of soul care transformed his marriage, ministry, and walk with God. Together, Robby and Ron explore why pastors often sacrifice their inner life while “doing good,” and what it looks like to serve from abundance instead of depletion.

This is an honest, practical, and hope-filled conversation for every pastor, spouse, and ministry leader who longs to finish well.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·        Why solitude refines the soul—and why isolation is a dangerous substitute

·        The question Ron asks every pastor: “How’s your soul?”—and why it matters

·        How neglecting soul care opens the door to unhealthy escapes and temptations

·        The difference between “I have to” ministry and “I get to” ministry

·        What a healthy soul looks like in daily life, marriage, and leadership

·        Practical rhythms of soul care: Scripture, prayer, journaling, Sabbath, and sabbatical

·        How healthy leaders create healthy churches and staff cultures

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

·        Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro

·        Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero

·        Soul Keeping by John Ortberg

Next Steps:

·        Visit careforpastors.org and click Get Help to connect with our team within 24 hours.

·        Join our online communities: The Confidant (for pastors’ wives) and Pastors’ Allies on Facebook.

·        Email us at podcast@careforpastors.org to request our free Sabbath resource.