Pastors’ Blessings & Blisters: New Pulpit & Pew research done in cooperation with Duke University and funded by the Lilly Endowment reports that 60% of pastors say “they have never doubted their calling,” and 70% “indicate they have never considered leaving pastoral ministry.” Additional survey findings were: -More pastors don’t “sense the call until their late 30s.” -Less than 50% report satisfaction with “relationships with other pastors, opportunities for continuing education, salary, and benefits,” and even fewer “sense overall effectiveness as a leader.” -Over 70% say a primary problem is reaching people with the gospel. -66% say their congregation has been in conflict in the past 2 years; 20% called it “significant” or “major.” -10% of respondents said they feel depressed “some or most of the time.” 40% said they are “depressed occasionally or worn out some or most of the time.” -75% said they are carrying too much weight; 30% of the pastors said that they are obese. (Enrichment, Winter 2003, Vol 9, No 1)
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