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Some interesting Statistics

As mentioned in the book Pastors at Risk by H.B. London & Neil Wiseman.Victor Press. 1993.

1991 Survey of Pastors (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