Pastors Need Support - 1700 Pastors Quit Ministry Every Month

Leadership guru, Peter Drucker, said that the four hardest jobs in America are:

• The President of the United States
• A university president
• A CEO of a hospital and
• A pastor

What do you think?

Some think that yours is an easy job. You get all week to pray, play a little golf and then preach on Sunday.  But here’s what they may not know. Being a pastor ishard work. It is certainly not for the faint of heart. The reality is - the job of a pastor can be 24/7 and carries unique challenges.

Some pastors wear themselves out trying to help people. Some wound their family because they are so involved in ministry. Others flourish in their ministry and personal life.  Here are a few eye-opening statistics about pastors:

• 90% of pastors said the ministry was completely different than what they thought it would be like before they entered the ministry. 
• 70% say they have a lower self-image now than when they first started.
• 85% of pastors said their greatest problem is they are tired of dealing with problem people.
• 40% of pastors say they have considered leaving their pastorates in the last three months.
• 70% of pastors do not have someone they consider a close friend.
• Over 1,700 pastors left the ministry every month last year. 
• 50% of pastors feel so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living. 
• 45.5 % of pastors say that they've experienced depression or burnout to the extent that they needed to take a leave of absence from ministry. 

According to the Barna report - the profession of “Pastor” is near the bottom of a survey of the most-respected professions, just above “car salesman.”

It is a difficult calling to be a pastor and should not to be entered into lightly.  As pastors we are in dire need of the prayers and support of those in the church family, of close personal confidants and of our family and friends.  

All of the above begs the question, are you holding your church and friends accountable to be praying for you?  Do you have someone in your life you can go to with problems? Someone you would consider a friend and can pray with?

Pastor, you need support and prayer. Ask for them.  Then, expect them!

 

*The Fuller Institute, George Barna, and Pastoral Care Inc. provide the statistics I have used in this blog.

*Based on a blog read at: Ministry Best Practices, Equipping Leaders for Innovative Ministry