Lifeway Research asked 200 pastors for a list of challenges they face in ministry. That list was run past another 200 pastors and ultimately the researchers compiled a comprehensive list of 44 items that were frequently mentioned.
Next, 1,000 pastors were asked to check which items on that list of 44 were challenges for them personally.
That seems a solid way to gather accurate data.
Nevertheless, it is safe to assume some of these may not accurately portray the whole truth. Even if the survey was completely anonymous, it would be hard for some pastors to admit to struggling with certain issues. So I am guessing some of these are on the low side.
With that in mind, here are the challenges that got the most "votes":
- People’s apathy or lack of commitment: 75%
- Consistency in personal prayer: 72%
- Friendships and fellowship with others: 69%
- Training current leaders and volunteers: 68%
- Consistency of Bible reading not related to sermon or teaching preparation: 68%
- Trusting God: 66%
- Relationships with other pastors: 64%
- Consistency in taking a Sabbath: 64%
- Stress: 63%
- Personal disciple making: 63%
- Confessing and repenting from personal sin: 61%
In future posts, I would like to offer some thoughts on some of these statistics from the perspective of someone who has had some experience pastoring a small country church.
In the meantime, read that list again and give it some thought. Pastoring is a tough job. Pastors deserve more empathy than we generally offer. And more of a helping hand.
You can see more details about the research and its findings HERE.
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