So this is a little different sort of post for me. I typically post about my kids, husband, or self. But since I have been reflecting about our life in ministry the past couple months, I learned the following information from the SonScape retreat we were recently at. Read through these statistics and let me know what you think...
* The average tenure in ministry has declined from 21 years in 1990
to 12 years today.
* 94% of pastors say they feel pressure to have a perfect family.
* 90% feel inadequately trained to cope with the demands of ministry.
* 80% of pastors say ministry has a negative impact on their own families.
* 70% say their self-esteem was higher before they began ministry.
* 40% consider quitting every Monday morning.
* 25% of clergy marriages end in divorce.
Pressures like these drive 1,600 shepherds out of the ministry every month. That's 19,000 pastors each year!
I know that Brenton is not in the "Senior" pastor position, but I think these stats can apply in some way to anyone working in ministry. It's exhausting, but I believe it's one on the most important jobs in the world and I can't think of anything else I would rather do.
The percentages are WAY TO HIGH if you as me. So, what can you and I do to make sure these statistics don't become a reality in the churches we attend??? I heard a great quote from the leader of SonScape. He said, "Everyone has a Savior, but the pastor is not it!"
We (Christ followers) need to take our desires, distresses, praises, and needs to 'the Savior'- Jesus Christ! Pastors can guide us and teach us many things, but ultimately we must have our own relationship with the savior of the world. It is in this relationship that we find the hope and healing that we need.
Sorry this is a bit deep for my blog, but I guess that's what I am feeling today!
Wow-those are some interesting statistics.
ReplyDeleteI've heard some of those stats before. It's really sad... pastors have a lot of pressure. I'm sure, as with just about any profession, any stress or negative feelings from work end up falling on family/home life. I think one great answer is small groups/house churches. When people have problems and want to talk to someone, they usually feel comfortable with a pastor. When you belong to a small group you have a group of people that you are close with...and can hash out your problems with. Hopefully this would take some of the stress off of the pastor because he wouldn't feel overwhelmed with "carrying" everyone.
ReplyDeleteA great point that you made was about Jesus being our savior, not the pastor. A pastor does so much good by preaching the Word and helping people stay on the right track, but ultimately he is human. We cannot expect him to be perfect or rely on him for salvation. That is from Jesus, and aren't we lucky?!
I'm so grateful for those who serve in ministry, and for their families. I know it takes a lot of time and effort and I'm sure the families sometimes get the short end of the stick. Hopefully the congregation can help make up some of the slack...kind of like an extended family. Wouldn't that put a big smile on God's face?
Having been a "PK" for 24 years, I can truly relate to these statistics. They are sad, but oh so true.
ReplyDeletePraise God for His grace over our lives, without which we would surely slip and fall.
Thanks for saying it Steph! Us pastors need to also remember our congregations have a Saviour and we are not it!
ReplyDeleteLarry Magnuson the founding pastor of my former church MGCC, had talked about these stats at one time to us. He now is at Sonscape helping other pastors. I know a taste of what a Monday is like after a service. Maybe your tired afterward, maybe you feel like you gave everything to no visable reward. Or worse yet, you feel great after the service.
ReplyDeleteThen Monday comes and you go into the office and there it starts all over again. You have messages from the people who have an issue with something that was done, said, or not said. Again you wonder, why do we do this? Someone calls for help with a 'Sin' and you are suppose to know how to deal with all of it. You see how the world could be and how it is and there is such a difference between the two. Again why do we do this? Are we making a difference?
I agree this is the only thing that I can think I want to do, and I am only a volunteer. Pastors (old, young, senior, junior, youth, worship, technical, whatever) are under a enormous amount of presure. Honestly I know I have a savior, I just need to know that my pastor knows that...and that's it.
If my pastor was perfect, I would have a bigger issue with that. Only God is perfect. And like you said, we have a savior, and it's not the pastor.
I love you guys and miss you both.