My friend Deanna Shrodes over at deannashrodes.com shared these stats the other day about ministers.
70% of pastors don't have a close friend.
1700 pastors leave the ministry for good, every month.
70% of pastors constantly fight depression.
90% of pastors work between 55-75 hours a week.
70% say they have a lower self worth now than when they entered the ministry.
40% of pastors report having a serious conflict with a church member at least once a month.
50% of all ministers starting out will not last five years.
Only one out of every ten ministers will actually retire as a minister in some form.
94% of pastors' families feel the pressures of the pastor's ministry.
80% of pastors' spouses wish their spouse would choose a different profession.
Because I talk to pastors and ministers every week - I can tell you that the above it absolutely true. But what can you do about it?
- Because your pastor is a target for Satan's plans - pray that God will protect your pastor and family.
- Don't let your heart be turned against your pastor - No your pastor isn't perfect, but don't filet them over it. Forgive
- Don't be a volunteer - be a servant. A volunteer mentality lifts you to a place of pride, a servant demands the humble position. Volunteers do what they can, when they can. Servants take their responsibility seriously and do what they promise they will do when they say they will do it.
- Don't let your pastor live without they necessities you need. Now keep this in perspective. If you need health insurance, so do they. If you have a retirement plan - so does the pastor. If you need a car - so does the pastor / probably not a Rolls Royce, but a car none the less.
- Never assume ANYTHING! How the pastor gets paid, how their family is cared for or how they survive. Pastors DON'T get financial breaks or special privileges because they are pastors.
- Have fun with the pastor. Take them to a Christian comedians concert - or some place where they can relax.
- Make them take their day off. For most ministers its either Monday or Friday. Remember you get the weekend, your pastor never does. They usually only get one day a week off.
- Provide them with what they need. A old saying goes, "A good carpenter has good tools." Make sure they are not working with junky computers and old technology.
- Make sure they are being mentored/coached by someone they trust. Sending them to seminar to address particular needs of the church is good, and should happen. But what is happening to personally enrich the pastor?
Got any other ideas? Put them in the comment section below. I would love to hear what you have to say?
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