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

Source: Pastors at Risk by H.B. London & Neil Wiseman.Victor Press. 1993.