Pastor Phil Pike recently blogged about the alarming stats of burn-out among pastors.
here are some:
- 80% of pastors believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families. Many pastor’s children do not attend church now because of what the church has done to their parents.
- 90% of pastors feel they are inadequately trained to cope with the demands of ministry.
- 80% of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
- 85% of pastors said their greatest struggle is dealing with problem people such as disgruntled members, elders, deacons, worship leaders, worship teams, board members, and associate pastors.
- 90% said the ministry was completely different than what they thought it would be before they began.
- 80% of pastors’ wives wish their spouse would choose another profession.
- 70% of pastors constantly fight depression.
In light of Anne Jackson's recent book on burn-out in ministry - could it be that we have unrealistic expectations of our pastors? Could it be that we're forcing them to bear too much weight - requiring them to be super holy and professional, witty, intelligent, please everyone, etc? Perhaps if we took some of their load and more evenly distributed it among the other members of the body our pastors wouldn't be so overwhelmed and burning out?
In this Q TALK, Rick McKinley shares some of his thoughts on empowering the body of Christ to do things differently than we have in the past, to reach more people.
I think that if the pastoral community really followed their faith in God and really listened to what He is saying and asking of them the typical burn-out wouldn’t happen. Even though giving in and giving up is a lot easier for most.
Comment by Tony D - Feb 18, 2009 @ 07:11 AM
I think pastors have an unrealistic view of pastors before they enter ministry. My most valued lesson from ministry school (not seminary, but ministry school) was this:
Teacher: “Does anyone know how to spell ministry?”
Random student in class: “I do! M-I-N-I-S-T-R-Y” Student smiles as if they won the spelling bee.
Teacher: “WRONG!”
(rest of class begins to write down the spelling themselves. now they are confused. other class members begin to call out spellings with emphasis on other letters of the word)
Teacher: “Wrong again. Ministry is spelled W-O-R-K”
After being in ministry for 6.5 years now, I always reflect back on that statement. I keeps me grounded.
I think some of the burn out is a product of the REAL PRESSURE of pastoring. Not saying that what pastors endure compare, but the apostle Paul considered giving up on the fight and just allowing his captors to kill him. (Better for me to be with Christ but better for you for me to remain). The pressure is real. Relationships are tough because people violate your trust. People seek to be around you for the sake of popularity. Its hard to find genuine friends.
One pastor had a conversation with a new visitor of their church that was VERY telling about the life of a pastor. The new visitor spoke to the pastor and they said they were considering joining the church but she didn’t know if she could trust him. She said “I don’t know if I can trust you, pastor. I’ve been hurt before by pastors.” The pastor responded in a very candid way. “I don’t know if I can trust YOU. I’ve been hurt by members in the past. So we have something in common.” Some might think that it was too candid of a response, but the person actually appreciated the pastors candor. Its real.
I could go on and on, but I won’t. Good discussion topic.
Comment by Steve Patton - Feb 18, 2009 @ 07:42 AM
In my experience, both as an MK and as a lay leader in my church, one of the biggest heartbreaks in ministry are the smiling people who don’t care. Not the people who actively oppose you, but those who are going to be really warm, but are not about to change their lives in light of the gospel.
A lot of burnout comes, not from fighting enemies, but from discovering that your supporters aren’t all that committed.
Comment by Paul Grant - Feb 18, 2009 @ 11:08 AM