something to pay attention to

These statistics describe pastors, but I would argue that more than pastors should pay attention to them. If you're in a church (or are looking in at one from the outside), listen up.

According to the Pastor Care Network:

• 80% of pastors believe ministry has negatively affected their families.
• 33% say that being in ministry is an outright hazard to their families.
• 75% report a significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry.
• 50% feel unable to meet the demands of the job.
• 70% say they have a lower self-image now than when they started.
• 40% report a serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.
• 70% do not have somebody they consider a close friend.
• 50% have considered leaving the ministry in the last three months.
• 50% of those who go into full time ministry drop out in five years.
• 94% of clergy families feel the pressures of the pastor’s ministry.
  

And according to the Jan/Feb issue of The Christian Examiner, between 1,400 and 1,600 Christian leaders leave the ministry every month. {2004}

The Alban Institute estimates that 17% of pastors are experiencing burnout. A study of one major denomination concluded that less than one-third of its pastors were happy in their work. Another 30% were "deeply ambivalent" about ministry. And 40% described themselves as "heading for burnout."