Here are some statistics (from Barna & Focus on the Family):
Pastors
- Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
- Fifty percent of pastors' marriages will end in divorce.
- Eighty percent of pastors and eighty-four percent of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
- Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
- Eighty percent of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
- Seventy percent of pastors constantly fight depression.
- Almost forty percent polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.
- Seventy percent said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.
Pastors' Wives
- Eighty percent of pastors' spouses feel their spouse is overworked.
- Eighty percent of pastors' spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession.
- The majority of pastor's wives surveyed said that the most destructive event that has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they entered the ministry.
Wow. That's some scary stuff. And I think the article has some great suggestions for guarding against these things. However, we have to keep in mind that you could probably find statistics like this for ANY occupation. And the point is - healthy living takes work. It doesn't just happen. So, it's a good thing I'm taking a vacation this week. Actually, I think it starts today. Well, except I will be in the office getting wireless internet hooked up. And... while I'm there, I might as well work on my sermon for next Sunday. And... :)
Tell you what... everybody take a nap today. I'm hoping to post some pictures of The Jefferson Hunt - and Isaac playing his new Danelectro - if I ever get the camera back from Carrie.
Peace, my friends. Read Driscolls article on how to keep from burning out. Rust never sleeps. (Revolution!)
3 comments:
I have a deeply seeded (read: "knee-jerk") distrust of any statement issued by both Barma and F.O.F., and 1500 seems to me an incredible figure. You could argue with considerable justification that the pastorate is by nature more vulnerable to "employer" abuse, but I have also seen considerable evidence that its flexible frame* provides an excellent environment for family priorities, study and regeneration. Mr. Driscoll has some excellent suggestions, but one of the most important keys is a clear channel of communication and understanding between the pastor and the board. A good relationship there can make all the difference.
I suspect most of these statistics apply to people of all walks of life, though there are two anomalies worth highlighting: 1) the Pastor's Wife is a very unique socio-religious phenomenon, subject to very unique pressures - particularly in a religious environment that assumes masculine leadership. Grotesque over-generalization: congregations who are groovey with women pastors are usually congregations that look after their pastor's own best interests, while congregations insistent on male leadership already possess unrealistic expectations of their pastor (one of which is that the Pastor's Wife will also assume a hefty share of pastoral responsibility - on a salary built for less than one). 2) Pastors attempting to leave the pastorate and join the broader work force do face a distinct set of challenges in the transition - not dissimilar to military careerists hoping to break into the civilian work force. Richard Bolles, the "Parachute" guy, probably has the best advice for these people (since it comes from personal experience).
But these are good things to be aware of, and to respond to.
*I don't believe I could ever over-quote "Joe Versus The Volcano"!
Gee Darrell, you sound like you know what you're talking about. :)
I agree with you on all points (especially the Barna - FOF one). Also your point about a good relationship between the pastor and the board. I am lucky in that regard, in that our board is more of a small group - a group of friends united in learning/following God/doing ministry. It makes all the difference in the world, and is a big part of why I LOVE my job.
That was "supposed" to be one of my main points in the post... that articles like this often make the pastorate look bad. When, in reality, it can be soooo good.
Thanks for your input!
Greets to the webmaster of this wonderful site. Keep working. Thank you.
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