Years ago pastors were expected to handle FIVE primary tasks, but studies today reveal that the number has swelled to SIXTEEN.

This increase in primary responsibilities has at least TEN effects on pastors and churches:

1. The sheer number of tasks means the pastor does each task with less excellence and effectiveness;

50% of pastors admit they are unable to meet the current demands of their job; 

2. The pastor has to labor longer hours each day and often on his one day off to give even cursory attention to each of these SIXTEEN tasks;

The median number of work hours for Protestant pastors is 55 hours.  42 percent work 60 or more hours,

3. Pastors become discouraged, even depressed, not only by the number of tasks, but by their diminished excellence and effectiveness as ministers and leaders;

80% of pastors are discouraged or even battle depression; 

4. Churches suffer because their pastor is less effective in his unique role;

Across America, churches and church ministries are in decline. Bible literacy and belief are in a deep dive. Discipleship have become a five-step class. Has anyone read Ephesians 4 lately?

5. Churches suffer because the pastor is giving more and more of his time to what others could do, and less and less time to what only he as pastor can do or what he does best;

Studies say a majority of evangelicals are unsatisfied with the church and unchallenged/unfulfilled as Christians. 

6. Churches suffer because believers become spectators of ministry rather than servants in ministry using their gifts for the glory of God and the good of others;

A full 80% of church attenders do not serve in the church in any way 

7. The family of the pastor suffers ;

80% of pastor say the ministry negatively affects their family; 1 in 3 say the ministry is an absolute hazard to their family.

8. Burnout has become more and more the norm, driving some out of the ministry, driving others into mere survival mode even as they remain in the ministry;

Hundreds leave the ministry each month; 40% of pastoral resignations are due to burnout.

9. Like the pastor, the church shifts into maintenance mode – no risks;

Last year in my denomination, church plants and Sunday attendance rose very slightly, but water baptisms were down significantly and one in four churches had zero conversions in 2014.

10. The church has little or no voice in the community and the message of the Gospel is buried – because the pastor is buried under the weight of keeping up with “The List.”

It’s time to review and reduce “The List.”  

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NOTE: Journey Pastoral Coaching exists to provide pastoral coaching to Millennial ministers.

Saddled with large student debt, just beginning to set up homes and start families, and serving in low paying first and second positions, Millennials are those who most desire but can least afford to pay for pastoral coaching.

So we offer it to them at NO COST: Our members do not PAY for coaching; they EARN it by investing in each other.

We are able to do so thanks to the faithful and generous support of individuals and churches like yours who want to see young leaders not only enter the ministry, but remain in the ministry. If you or your church would like to help Millennial ministers in 20 US states and 5 nations build strong for a lifetime in ministry, please click here to contact us by email or to support Journey monthly or with your one-time gift. Thank you.

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“In the early years when I was becoming a pastor, I needed a pastor.” 

 Eugene H. Peterson, The Pastor: A Memoir