Why Are Pastors (and Their Children) So Unhappy?

A really interesting blog post by Mark Clement highlights a disturbing problem in the Church: psychologically unhealthy pastors.  He highlights the following statistics, including a shockingly high percentage (95%) of pastor who do not pray with their wives and the very low percentage (30%) that spend personal time reading God’s Word, that paint a sad portrait of the health of pastors:

  • 100% of pastors surveyed said they had a close associate or seminary buddy who had left the ministry because of burnout, conflict in their church, or from a moral failure.
  • 1500-1800 pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
  • 50% of pastors’ marriages will end in divorce.
  • 80% of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastor.
  • 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 seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
  • 70% of pastors constantly fight depression.
  • Almost 40% polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.
  • 70% said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.
  • 90% said the ministry was completely different than what they thought it would be before they entered the ministry.
  • 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.

  • 95% of pastors do not regularly pray with their spouses.

  • 80% of pastors surveyed spend less than fifteen minutes a day in prayer.

  • 70% said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.

Makes you wonder if at least 70% churches are being lead by pastors that aren’t really saved.  ”If you abide in my Word, you are my disciples indeed.  You shall know the truth and truth shall set you free” (John 8:31-32). 

Read more here.

HT: Daniel Burke

  1. christianstriver posted this