My purpose in writing this article about the Top 8 Issues for Pastors is to start an honest conversation about the challenges of pastoral ministry. Statistics indicate that 50% of pastors would leave the ministry if they had somewhere else to go. That is a warning flag for pastors, missionaries who are doing pastoral work, traveling preachers who work with pastors, and/or people who have pastors. It’s time to stop ignoring the issues, start talking and encouraging one another, and change the statistics.
This article in no way is meant to discourage or to add stress to your lives, but to point out that we may be missing some keys to a fulfilling, productive ministry. I’ve been in some kind of pastoral work for over 25 years of my multi-faceted ministerial time. I’ve found an extraordinarily happy marriage. My children, while not perfect growing up, have all found a meaningful relationship to Christ and live productive, happy lives. Through the years I’ve discovered keys to overcoming the hurdles of a minister’s life. So, what are the top 8 issues pastors deal with most?
Research reveals the top 8 Issues for Pastors include:
- Criticism of Conduct
- Family Problems
- Stress
- Depression
- Burnout
- Sexual Problems
- Financial Problems
- Time Management
Now, let’s look at these issues one at a time.
#1 Issue – Criticism of Conduct
Most pastors have to juggle the understanding of doctrine with a constantly changing culture. More pastors are had for Sunday lunch than chicken every week. Again, most pastors I minister to talk more about what’s going wrong than what’s going right. It is because what’s going wrong looks so much larger than what’s going right.
- 50% of pastors would leave the ministry today if they had somewhere else to go.
- 50% of pastors won’t last 5 years in ministry.
- 80% feel discouraged in the role of pastor.
- 40% of pastors report a serious conflict with a parishioner once a week.
- 90% feel inadequately trained for what they do.
#1 – Keys to Overcoming Criticism of Conduct
I think there is little doubt that pastors have to have the hide of a rhinoceros to effectively lead people. Congregations unwittingly scrutinize pastors regularly. Here are some basic keys to move past criticism:
- Create a culture of grace in your ministry, rather than judgment and legalism. It will cultivate an atmosphere of pulling for each other.
- I had a major leader in my office lamenting over certain struggles of being asked to move forward in his ministry. He intertwined “I,” “Me,” and “My” throughout his interview. I finally and lovingly said, “This is not about you; this is about Him.” Our ministries are about letting Him build His church. I define “flesh” this way – doing God’s will my way. Unwittingly, we sometimes get our focus in the wrong place. God has set you up to … succeed. Our identity comes down to a simple phrase, knowing who God is (don’t just know the Book, know the author), knowing what He has already done (through His finished work) and knowing what He has made you to be. Don’t let criticism dissuade you.
- Evaluate criticism. If it is true, change. If it is someone else’s issue, recognize it as such and move on.
#2 Issue – Family Problems
Expectations of a pastor’s conduct and that of their spouses and children are huge and often hard to live up to. Many pastors (90%) work 70 hour weeks and have difficulty finding time for families. The Glass House Syndrome is very difficult for many to overcome.
- 80% of pastors feel the ministry affects families.
- 95% of pastors don’t pray consistently with spouses.
- 80% of spouses long for another profession.
- 80% of spouses feel overlooked and underappreciated.
- 33% of pastors feel pastoring is an outright hazard to their families.
#2 – Keys to Overcoming Family Problems
You’ve heard the phrase, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” It’s trite, but true. Outside of our relationship with God, our top priority is our relationship to our mate. We’re often pulled in multiple directions at the same time. Make sure while scheduling board meetings and church services, you also schedule a date night, family devotions and your kid’s ball games. Dissension in your home multiplies every other problem you have. A lack of support at home leads to susceptibility in many areas. One of the key issues I learned as a pastor was not to run to every need on the spur of the moment. Most times people didn’t get into their problem in one day and likely won’t get out of their problem in one day. It’ll wait until your date night is over. Control your schedule; don’t let your schedule control you . . . within reason.
WATCH for upcoming posts – Top 8 Issues for Pastors – Part 2, 3 and 4 – where I will address the remaining issues.
This is my prayer for you:
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21)
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
