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Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ and the Global Pastors
Network, printed these statistics gleaned from various sources from across
denominational lines, such as Pastor to Pastor, Focus on the Family,
Ministries Today, Charisma Magazine, and TNT Ministries.
 | 1500 pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual
burnout, or contention in their churches
| 4000 new churches begin each year, but over 7000 churches will close
| 50% of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if
they could, but have no other way of making a living
| 80% of pastors and 84% of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged
in their role as pastors
| 70% of pastors feel grossly underpaid. |
| 70% of pastors constantly fight depression
| 80% of seminary and Bible students who enter the ministry will leave the
ministry within the first five years
| 80% of adult children of pastors surveyed have had to seek professional
help for depression
| 70% of pastors do not have a close friend, confidant, or mentor. |
| 70% said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are
preparing their sermons. |
| 85% of pastors said their greatest problem is they are sick and tired of
dealing with problem people, such as disgruntled elders, deacons, worship
leaders, worship teams, board members, and associate pastors
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This has its effect on the pastor's marriages & families
| 80% of pastors' spouses feel their spouse is overworked.
| 95% of pastors do not regularly pray with their spouse. |
| 80% of pastors’ wives feel pressured to do things and be something in
the church that they really are not. |
| 80% of pastors' wives feel left out and unappreciated by the church
members. |
| The majority of pastors’ wives surveyed said that the most destructive
event that has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they
entered the ministry. |
| Almost 40% polled said they have had an extramarital affair since
beginning their ministry
| 50% of pastors' marriages will end in divorce.
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Jesus said, "Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy laden and
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for my yoke
is easy and my burden is light." What went wrong?
- Entering a ministry position to which you are not called by God. You are
out of your area of grace and gifting. Frustration results. Not enough
knowledge of divine guidance. (Ephesians 4:7, 11).
- Being motivated by the personal needs or ambition in their old
nature. Seduced by the prestige & power of the exalted position.
Puffed up by the knowledge from seminary. Failure to have a support
& accountability group. Failure to delegate jobs to the more gifted
& talented.
- Demonic attack or oppression by those inside or outside the church. Not
being spiritually cleaned up regularly. Not having an intercessor team
for support & protection.
- Trying to save the world on your own strength & wisdom. Praying
to God to 'help' you in the programs you came up with. Not trusting God to
lead and provide for His Own programs.
- God is cleaning up His Church, including the leaders. When times of trauma
are occurring for the church, not cutting back on the work load to cope with
the added stress. (1 Peter 4:17).
What can the brethren do for their pastoral brother?
| Obey his instructions. If he
has responsibility for you, he should also have equal authority over
you. He is not your paid handyman. Fear God who put him over
you. |
| pray for them. Pray for faith,
hope and love. Pray for humility and dedication. Pray for
guidance and wisdom. Pray for an understanding of their position
before God and among the brethren. |
| pray for the church. Pray for
the brethren to learn divine guidance and wisdom. Pray for all the
functions of the church to be blessed. Pray for God to raise up
missionaries, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers from our
midst. Pray for the members to grow into their positions in the
church. |
| Pray preventive deliverance and
protection for him, his family and his property. Pray for anyone who
has worked or conspired against them. Pray protection for his
intercessors. |
| Hold him in account for seeking the
Lord on any new programs. Hold him account for taking time off. |
Here is a questionnaire
to diagnose the burnout potential of the pastor.
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