Pastoral ministry is deeply rewarding, but it can also be draining. Long hours, high expectations, and constant demands often leave pastors running on empty. Pastor Dino Rizzo has seen the effects of burnout in his own life and in the lives of countless leaders. His message to pastors is clear: caring for your soul isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of lasting ministry.
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Living From a Full Cup
One of Rizzo’s favorite illustrations comes from something he learned from the late John Osteen. Osteen often said that leaders must “fill the cup and live from the overflow.” Too many pastors, Rizzo explains, are preaching and leading from an empty cup. That emptiness shows up in fatigue, irritability, strained relationships, and even moral failure.
“You can fake it for a while,” says Rizzo. “But you can’t fake it long. What’s down in the well comes up in the bucket.” 
For pastors to endure, they must cultivate rhythms of prayer, rest, and devotion that keep the cup full.
The Danger of Secrets
Another critical aspect of soul care is honesty. Dino Rizzo is open about his own past struggles and the hard lessons he’s learned. He warns pastors not to hold on to hidden struggles, anger, or pain.
“I went 95% for years,” he admits. “But that 5% you hold back will get you.” 
Safe friendships, trusted mentors, and counseling are essential to maintaining health. Rizzo reminds leaders that no one can make it alone—secrecy is a trap, but transparency brings healing.
Fences at the Top of the Hill
Rizzo often points to a quote from Pastor Larry Stockstill: “We need fences at the top of the hill, not ambulances at the bottom.” In other words, pastors shouldn’t wait until they are in crisis to seek help. Proactive practices—like regular retreats, sabbaticals, counseling, and accountability—serve as protective fences that keep leaders from falling in the first place.
At the Association of Related Churches (ARC), the church planting network Rizzo co-founded, these practices are built into the training process. Church planters are encouraged, and even required, to prioritize their health from day one. The goal is not just to launch strong but to finish strong.
Why Soul Care Matters
Dino Rizzo believes that the longevity of a pastor’s ministry depends more on soul health than on strategy. Sermons, systems, and structures matter, but without a healthy heart, they won’t last.
“The hardest work I do,” he says, “is not leading others—it’s leading myself. My heart, my mind, my motives. That’s the work of the cross.” 
For every pastor or leader, the encouragement is simple: guard your soul. Build fences before you need an ambulance. Fill your cup daily so you can live from the overflow. And never walk alone.
That’s not just wisdom for survival—it’s the path to finishing well.
About Dino Rizzo
Dino Rizzo, a 40-year ministry veteran, co-founded Healing Place Church with his wife, DeLynn, where he served as senior pastor for two decades. Through his passion for inspiring believers to serve their communities, Dino Rizzo founded Servolution and authored “Serve Your City.” Rizzo serves as the President of ARC (Association of Related Churches), which has planted more than 1100 churches worldwide, and is on the Senior Leadership Team at Church of the Highlands.
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