Situated in the vibrant heart of Atlanta, Georgia, The Vault ATL is a distinguished hub designed for spiritual growth, community engagement, and creative expression.
We offer weekly Bible study (online and in person) for believers who want to grow in or enhance their relationships with God.
Book one of our anointed and licensed therapists or licensed Christian leaders to help you navigate through the raging storms of life.
We offer deliverance and inner healing sessions for leaders, and we host ministry and deliverance events for believers.
Come to one of our amazing events; then again, you may consider renting The Vault or the podcast space for your Kingdom and creative needs.
Let’s face it! There has been a pandemic of unhealthy, and sometimes even ungodly leaders who have not only wounded God’s sheep, but have scattered the sheep and given the church a bad name. But here’s the truth. Not every leader who does something bad is a false teacher or an evil person. Sometimes, what we are witnessing is a wounded leader in action. And it is for this reason that we created the Vault.
In recent years, there has been growing awareness regarding the mental health challenges faced by clergy, particularly among Protestant senior pastors in the United States. A 2024 study conducted by the Barna Group revealed alarming statistics that underscore the burdens borne by these spiritual leaders. The research indicated that approximately 18% of Protestant senior pastors had contemplated self-harm or suicide within the past year. This statistic raises profound concerns about the psychological and spiritual well-being of those tasked with providing spiritual guidance and support to their communities.
Furthermore, the same Barna study revealed that one-third of pastors had contemplated leaving their positions in the past year, while a staggering 60% reported significant doubts regarding their sense of calling. These figures illustrate the pervasive uncertainty, spiritual warfare and distress experienced by pastors, suggesting that the pressures of ministry may be taking a toll on their mental health and vocational fulfillment. The dual challenges of managing congregational expectations and navigating personal crises contribute to a landscape of emotional vulnerability that demands immediate attention.
Compounding these issues, a 2025 study highlighted that 40% of pastors are at a high risk for burnout, representing a nearly 400% increase since 2015. This dramatic escalation in burnout rates is indicative of an unsustainable work environment, which often involves long hours, emotional labor, and insufficient support. Burnout not only affects the individual pastor’s health but also has significant repercussions for congregations, as leaders grappling with exhaustion may be less effective in their ministry, impacting the spiritual lives of those they serve.
Additionally, the mental health crisis among clergy is underscored by the alarming rise in reports of depression. By late 2020, a significant 59% of pastors indicated that they had experienced depression at some point during their ministry. According to a study from Duke Divinity School, clergy experience depression at rates approximately double the national average. These findings highlight a system-wide issue within ministry contexts, where the very individuals responsible for nurturing others’ spiritual lives often find themselves in need of support and care.
Simply put, the mental health crisis among pastors presents significant implications not only for the well-being of our spiritual leaders but also for the congregations they serve. As the data from recent studies illustrate, there is an urgent need for systemic changes within church culture, including providing accessible mental health resources and fostering open dialogues about mental health in ministry. Only by addressing these challenges can the Church hope to promote an environment that nurtures the emotional and spiritual well-being of both pastors and their congregations.
Before creating the Vault, founder, Tiffany Buckner, saw a vision of leaders sitting in a circle discussing their disappointments, hurts and humiliations. The goal? To heal so that they can help to heal others. At the Vault, we offer counseling and deliverance sessions for ministry leaders. You can scan through our list of available therapists and pastoral counselors to find the one who’s just right for you, or you can schedule a session with multiple leaders, after all, there is safety in the multitude of counselors (see Proverbs 11:14). You may even schedule a session or intervention for your pastors or leaders. Please click the button below to proceed.
Note: If you schedule a session with someone of the opposite sex, please note that we will provide a member from our team to be present to avoid accusation, temptation, the appearance of evil, etc. Additionally, we will always have a security guard on site to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of our team. Everyone on our staff has signed a non-disclosure agreement, so you don’t have to worry about a confidentiality breach. We are ethical, God-fearing, and most of all, we have a passion for seeing leaders heal.