Renewal Seminar Snapshots

October 8th 2009

Counseling for Pastors : How Not to Become a Statistic

Presented by Jim Fuller, Executive Director of Pastoral Care Inc.

After Jim sought to form a ministry to strengthen and encourage Pastors he soon discovered there were no comprehensive ministries in America dedicated specifically to help encourage our ministers to stay in the ministry and offer help for those who are hurting. Where do pastors turn when they need help or feel discouraged? In many state there are no resources available for ministers that are safe and confidential. As a result, too many of our pastors are leaving the ministry each year!!!

Please consider these statistics:

90% of the pastors report working between 45-75 hours a week
80% of the ministers report the church having a negative impact on their families
70% report having a lower self image than when they first started
70% report not having a close friend
90% feel inadequately trained to cope with ministry demands
50% have considered leaving the ministry in the last 3 months
50% of the ministers will not last 5 years
1 out of every 10 ministers will actually retire as a minister

These statistics are horrible! Over 1,700 ministers left the ministry every month last year! There were another 1,300 ministers who were terminated by their local church, many without cause! Many denominations reported an “empty pulpit” crisis. Many reported not having a shortage of ministers but having a shortage of ministers willing to be a pastor because of the demands placed upon a pastor and their family.

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