In a 2022 Barna Report entitled “Ministry Challenges, By Pastors Who Have Considered Quitting,” the top four reasons that were listed for them to seriously consider hanging it up were as follows: 1. 56% said it was about the immense stress of the job; 2. 43% said they were lonely and isolated; 3. 38% said it had to do with current political divisions; 4. 29% said that they were unhappy with the effect the role had upon their family. These are daunting numbers. Because these surveys are anonymous, it is safe to assume that these figures are pretty accurate. When pastors open up to me, many of them have echoed similar sentiments. What can be done about this, if anything?
At the Triad Church Network, our answer to such challenges is that we have looked for ways of creating an environment where pastors/ministry leaders feel free to share their struggles and seek help. In fact, the revised version of our vision statement states in the first section that we help churches move beyond survival through “encouraging pastors/ministry leaders to lead from a place of health.” First, this involves offering such things as Pastor Appreciation Banquets, Marriage Retreats; Interventional Counseling Sessions; and Personal Development Coaching Sessions. Many have taken advantage of this and have expressed sincere appreciation for the Network investing in them in such practical and encouraging ways.
The second way we have sought to encourage pastors/ministry leaders is by giving them the opportunity to gather together for encouragement, learning, and collaboration. We call these gatherings Impact Groups. These are first based on the five zones or regions that represent our footprint and also affiliation-based groups. Those who have invested in this meeting have come away with a sense that they are part of a cadre of people who have their backs and who mutually desire to work together rather than be in competition.
As good as these offerings are, there are many who have yet to take advantage of receiving free or next-to-free help. Why? Well, many people don’t think that they need help. They have blind spots to their needs or even weaknesses. These are the kinds of people who often flame out of ministry in a number of ways. Another reason people reject this is that they don’t want to admit to anyone that they need help. Because the ministry often causes us to hide from our needs or growth opportunities, we worry that if the church found out that we were seeking assistance we would be not as respected as we currently are, or in worse cases could lose our jobs. A third reason people don’t take advantage of these things is that they have a view of ministry that is totally isolated. Learning from and listening to others does not fit into their value system.
We can’t force these things that are in the best interests of pastors/ministry leaders, and we wouldn’t want to if we could. That being said, let me exhort you to seek personal assistance through our LeaderCare format and plug into an Impact Group. This would be a concrete way you can grow as a servant of Christ and also be a source of blessing to others. I am convinced that both of these offerings will enrich your life for the long haul of ministry.
Your fellow servant of Christ,
Walker
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IMPACT GROUPS
LEADERCARE
MARRIAGECARE