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