NUMBERS AND NUMBNESS

From My Perspective - - -

The front page of the Tuscaloosa Alabama News for February 09, 2014 had a front page Headline Article, “Secret Struggles of Pastors” written by Staff Writer Jason Smith. In a section captioned “Tough Career”, he lists a series of percentages of Pastoral Survey Responses: “90% report working between 55 to 75 hours per week; 80 % believe the ministry has negatively affected their families; 80% say they feel unqualified and discouraged as a Pastor; 90% say the ministry is completely different than imagined; 70% say they are constantly fighting depression; 70% say they do not have a close friend; 33% confessed to inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church; 50% say they would leave the ministry but have no other way of making a living; 50% will not stay in the ministry for more than 5 years.” One of the sources used for these statistics is Pastoral Care, Inc. However, there are scant corroborating resources given to support the findings.

Some older research and report by Peter Wagner on America Preachers website gives some similar concerns and reasons why ministers feel the way they do. His statistical sources cited are: (1) The Fuller Institute, (2) George Barna, and (3) Pastoral Care Inc. He has written a column on: “The Secret Pain of Pastors.” He offers insight into the six major struggles pastors face in the ministry and how to overcome them. Peter Drucker, the late leadership guru, said that the four hardest jobs in America are: The President of the USA; A University President; A CEO of a Hospital; and A Pastor. He lists six areas under “unique problems that Pastors face”, and they are: 1. Criticism.  Pastors can be criticized by a lot of people for a multitude of things. Music is too loud. Sermon is not deep enough. It’s too long. Pastor thinks he’s too important. 2. Rejection. Members leave, leaders leave, and pastors’ friends leave. The smaller the church, the more obvious it is when people leave. 3. Betrayal. Trusting church members with personal burdens can backfire. They may end up telling the pastor’s personal issues to others. 85% of pastors said their greatest problem is they are tired of dealing with problem people, such as disgruntled elders, deacons, worship leaders, worship teams, board members, and associate pastors. 4. Loneliness. Who’s my friend?  Who can I trust? If I tell another pastor my problems, will he criticize me, tell others, or just treat me differently? 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend. 5. Weariness. 50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years. 70% felt God called them to pastoral ministry before their ministry began, but after three years of ministry, only 50% still felt called. 6. Frustrations & Disappointments. Disappointments come in many ways. Because of smaller congregations, the average compensation package for pastors is between $35,000–$40,000. There are many things pastors in this salary range are not able to do for their family that other people around them can do.”

Are these numbers an accurate representation of church and ministry in the United States or do they result in numbness as one reads them? If so, is it any wonder that the decadence of our culture is so rampant? What is a Minister/Pastor called by God to think, feel and do for The One Who has called him to serve? Some of God’s criteria for his servants are: II Timothy 2:3-4, “Share in suffering (endure hardship) as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” II Timothy 2:15, “(Study) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” The idea is for one to study thoroughly; to be diligent in the task of preparation and presentation; to be faithful to the text and ministry. God has placed a minister as and where He pleases and wants Him. The Minister should be committed to Walking circumspectly and Redeeming the time (Ephesians 5:15). He would do well to apply the notes of John Wesley regarding this text: "do all the good you can; in all the ways you can; to all the souls you can; in every place you can; at all the times you can; with all the zeal you can; and for as long as ever you can.” May those who minister be encouraged by James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Be faithful to The God Who is always faithful. Consider these things with me.