Statistics Regarding Pastoral Ministry
I often find that pastoral ministry is really an indescribable experience. I am able to feel some of the greatest joys that anyone could every feel. I get to see amazing things happen inside of homes that are nothing short of miraculous. I get to see Jesus make himself known inside the hearts of people on a regular basis. I see people being dramatically transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ weekly. I feel so incredibly blessed that God chose to make himself known through my weakness.
I have also had some difficult times in my ministry career. Honestly, I have seen more of those times after I began pastoring The Crossings some years ago. Somewhere within the collision of Lead Pastor and Church Planter there emerged a new set of obstacles.
In a very awkward way, reading statistics like this are comforting. Before you question my sanity let me tell you a little more… they are not comforting in what they directly communicate but rather what they cause me to remember. When I see things like this –
Hours and Pay
- 90% of the pastors report working between 55 to 75 hours per week.
- 50% feel unable to meet the demands of the job.
- 70% of pastors feel grossly underpaid.
Training and Preparedness
- 90% feel they are inadequately trained to cope with the ministry demands.
- 90% of pastors said the ministry was completely different than what they
thought it would be like before they entered the ministry.
Health and Well-Being
- 70% of pastors constantly fight depression.
- 50% of pastors feel so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if
they could, but have no other way of making a living.
Marriage and Family
- 80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families.
- 80% of spouses feel the pastor is overworked.
- 80% spouses feel left out and under-appreciated by church members.
Church Relationships
- 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.
- 40% report serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.
- #1 reason pastors leave the ministry — Church people are not willing to go the same direction and goal of the pastor. Pastors believe God wants them to go in one direction but the people are not willing to follow or change.
(more HERE)
… I am reminded that we as pastors are fighting a spiritual battle that is so very real. I was called specifically by God to give my life proclaiming his message and discipling his people. I was called to give every bit of me to every bit of him. God not only called me but he appointed me to a position to walk in that calling. If ANYTHING receives the attention of Satan (the deceiver and accuser) then such a calling as I have described would be one of those things.
Reading statistics like this are encouraging only because they remind me that my calling places me on a battle field surrounded by the enemy. Although I know that my sword and shield will triumph that does not mean I will avoid a bloody fight. Understanding the nature and reality of the fight are foundational to mustering the endurance to suit-up every day. I pray that by God’s grace he will protect me and my family from becoming one of these statistics… and I pray that he will deliver those who have already found themselves deeply embedded within these numbers.
THE American Pastime
This was my view for several hours on Wednesday. Beautiful. I love baseball and I love to be at the ballpark. I was blessed with the opportunity to be there twice this week! It is one of those places where my body and mind relax right when I walk through the gates. Great childhood dreams and memories rush back with the innocence they contained.
Why Now?
Good question. Why in the world would I start this site now? The short answer may be that I don’t completely know. However there are a couple things I do know. God has been stirring in me… creating a tension between my current state and a future destination. It feels like a lot of different itches that I can’t reach well enough to scratch.
I’ve been preaching through a series titled, “Imago Dei.” My prayer has been that each person would understand how God created them uniquely to contribute to his great work in the world. As I began to wrestle with these truths in my heart I began realizing that there were many unique ways in which God created me that I was not leveraging for his kingdom. So, this site is the first step in that direction. There are definitely more questions than answers in my mind right now but I want to step forward in faith and obedience.