Shocking Statistics

• 1,500 ministers drop out of ministry every month
• Another 200 are fired (and that number may be even higher)
• 39% say burnout is the greatest danger to them and their families
• 80% name isolation as the major problem they face and
• 78% think their job has a negative effect on their families.

How many ministers have actually been a part of those numbers above? How many of us face the challenges mentioned? How many of us know someone who became one of the statistics this month? Remember that if the numbers are correct, there are 1500 ministers ready to drop out a month from now, another 1500, two months from now, and so it goes. No wonder so many ministers are feeling insecure in their positions.

It Doesn't Have to be That Way

One of the challenges of ministry pointed out above is isolation.
Norman Cousins, author of Anatomy of an Illness has this to say: “The eternal quest of the human being is to shatter his loneliness.” Our perception of isolation is caused by our inability to have someone to whom we can talk honestly. We don’t feel safe revealing feelings such as fear or insecurity to those around us. It is a natural experience in ministry to experience some inadequacy because of the tremendous burden we have, dealing with the spiritual needs of our congregants. Who in their right mind really believes they are up to the task? Not many. but to whom can we confess that?

Certainly not to our congregants. Even mentors or colleagues are often difficult to open up to. Ministers tend to tell each other how great things are, and hide their feelings of fear, loneliness and uncertainty, which they see as a lack of dedication or ability. Peer groups often give the false impression that, “Everyone else is doing just fine. Why am I the only one who feels this way?” The truth is that most of us feel that way. What we may need is simply someone to talk to who will understand. Someone who has been there. Someone who will not judge or try to give us therapy. Someone who will accept us as normal. Would you like to talk with someone like that? Call us and we’ll chat.