Surveys of Pastors – Shocking Stats
1991 Fuller Institute of Church Growth
90% work more than 46 hours a week
80% believed pastoral ministry affected their families negatively
33% believed ministry was a hazard to their family
75% reported a significant stress related crisis at least once in their ministry
50% felt themselves unable to meet the needs of the job
90% felt inadequately trained to cope with ministry demands
70% say they have a lower self esteem now compared to when they started in ministry
40% reported serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month
37% confessed to having been involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church
70% do not have someone they consider a close friend
George Barna, What Americans Believe
Less than one half of the people most committed to the church say that their church performs its primary duties with excellence
2 out of 3 adult Americans (67%) say there is no such thing as absolute truth
Blackmon & Hart, Clergy Assessment & Career Development
12% of ministers report they were depressed often or always in their ministry
Malony & Hunt, The Psychology of Clergy
William Moore in a study of 341 clergy from 36 denominations and 43 states showed that unrealistic expectations are a major factor in pastor burnout
60% of clergy wives hold full time jobs or are involved in careers
Some studies suggest 70% of clergy report experiencing major distress
33% have considered leaving the ministry
Leadership, Fall 1992 Marriage Problems Pastors Face
81% insufficient time together
71% use of money
70% income level
64% communication difficulties
63% congregational differences
57% differences over leisure activities
53% difficulties in raising children
46% sexual problems
41% Pastor’s anger toward spouse
35% differences over ministry career
25% differences over spouse’s career
Current Thoughts & Trends, December 1992
28% of pastors said ministry was a hazard to family life
16% said it didn’t affect family either way
57% thought it was beneficial
94% felt under pressure to have the “ideal” family
Estimated 20% of 300,000 clergy suffer from long term stress
One year the Southern Baptist paid out $64 million in stress related claims, second in dollar amounts only to maternity benefits
Leadership, Fall 1992
70% indicated their compensation contributed to marriage conflicts
22% feel forced to supplement their church income
Current Thoughts & Trends, May 1992
Last 3 years, typical pastor’s salary increased less than 1/2 the inflation rate
Average increase for 1988-1991 was 7.4%
Over 40% of single staff pastors felt they were underpaid
33% of senior pastors felt they were underpaid
Duane Alleman, Theology News & Notes, Fuller Seminary
Survey of 228 Pastors’ wives revealed
45% have no close friends
almost half felt constrained to develop close friends in the local church context
Ministries Today, Nov / Dec 1992
Peter Wagner surveyed 572 pastors concerning prayer
Average pastor spent 22 minutes a day
57% spend less than 20 minutes a day
34% spend between 20 minutes and 1 hour
9% pray for 1 hour or longer
Focus on the Family Survey
1500 pastors surveyed
Over half do not meet with a prayer partner regularly
1 out of 4 do not have a trusted friend in ministry
Only 20% have 2 or more paid staff members
Current Thoughts & Trends, July 1992
3 out of 4 church members would give their pastors an “A” (44%) or a “B” (33%)
Only 4% would give them a failing grade
While clergy salaries have risen, buying power has decreased
The statusitics were helpful, but I think that they are quite out of date right know… I believe that it is worse than those numbers. I appreciate your all’s help and ministry though.
Thank you for the stats but do you have some more current stats? If so could you e-mail them to us.We have enjoyed your web-site and are impressed with your ministry. We are looking at starting a retreat center in BC Canada. Our web site is quietwatersretreat.com If you have any thoughts or ideas that might help us get started we are always open to them.Thanks
am lease to see such sta online, it will help some of us to know where to adjust and to helpm ohters who dont know. thanks
I had to read your post three times to get the full meaning of it. I enjoy reading what you have to say. It’s too bad that more people do not understand the benefits of coaching. Keep up the good work.