I am kind of blown away by these stats. I began thinking of all the people I know connected to ministry that have gone through a divorce. Also, I am not surprised by percent who feel unqualified. It seems (my guess) that some of these stats may be the same in the marketplace work force|society.
50% of pastors’ marriages will end in divorce (Same as US national average)
80% of seminary graduates will leave ministry in the first 5 years
70% of pastors are grossly underpaid (compared to the amount of work they do)
80% of pastors’ spouses believe their spouse is overworked
50% of pastors feel unable to meet the needs of the job
80% of pastors say they have insufficient time with their family
56% of pastors’ spouses have no close friends
80% of pastors’ kids seek professional help for depression
80% of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors
50% of pastors are so discouraged they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
85% of pastors said their greatest problem is they are sick and tired of dealing with problem people.
90% of pastors said the hardest thing about ministry is dealing with uncooperative people
95% of pastors do not regularly pray with their spouses
70% of pastors do not have a close friend, confidant or mentor
66% of pastors and their families feel pressure to model the ideal family to their congregations and communities
5 years - the average tenure of a pastor at a church
1500 pastors leave ministry each month due to moral failure, burnout or contention in their churches
Pastors who work fewer than 50 hours a week are 35% more likely to be terminated
The average church member expects the pastor to be able to juggle 16 major tasks
Approximately 4,000 new churches begin each year while more than 7,000 churches close down each year.
Sources:
http://www.jesuscreed.org/?p=2693
Pastors at Greater Risk, H B London, Jr., and Neil B Wiseman, Regal Books, © 2003
http://www.maranathalife.com/lifeline/stats.htm
These statistics came from across denomination lines, and have been gleaned from various reliable sources such as Pastor to Pastor, Focus on the Family, Ministries Today, Charisma Magazine, TNT Ministries, Campus Crusade for Christ and the Global Pastors Network.
http://www.robpetrini.com/
I am thinking of blogging about the joys of being a pastor. May have to do some straw polling.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Pastor Stats
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7 comments:
Wow. Those numbers are staggering. I wonder if the "95% that don't pray with their spouse" number is a result of discouragement or the cause of it. Just thinking out loud.
IT's a trip. Not sure what margin for error in these stats ...
I think the 70% needing a close friend, confidant, mentor ... that may help too!
All of them have a case to be most important to me.
I agree. I was talking to Sharon and she mentioned to me the 56% of pastors' spouses not having a close friend. That, along with the 70% number you referenced above show that husband and wife both struggle with that.
I know it was shocking to see the stats! I wasn't suprised about the Couple's not praying together- And coming form a pastor's home I know all about the "No close friendships"
So sad...
what is encouraging is...even though these stats are from reliable sources, they're not scientific.
http://www.flowerdust.net/2007/12/26/christians-like-info-porn-dont-believe-the-stats/
HOWEVER...
I do think they indicate we are very, very much in need of a saving grace.
3 benefits....
i am challenged to be obedient
i am challenged to live in anticipation
i feel honored to see god work in every moment of life.
if you haven't ... read Anne's post regarding stats like these.
http://www.flowerdust.net/2007/12/26/christians-like-info-porn-dont-believe-the-stats/
I am guilty of "Info Porn"... I didn't want to be THAT GUY!
Bottom line for me is that we need each other, for encouragement, accountability, etc.
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