Today, there are more than 500,000 pastors serving in Christian churches throughout the U.S., according to the Barna Research Group (BRG). But considering what many pastors have to endure, that figure could be a lot less.
"Our studies show that church-goers expect their pastor to juggle an average of sixteen major tasks," BRG President George Barna says. "That's a recipe for failure — nobody can handle the wide range of responsibilities that people expect pastors to master."
Pastors, and other ministry workers, also may work for less pay than they could earn in the secular world, but they remain dedicated to their calling. Unfortunately, some endure conditions that push them to the limits of that dedication.
Pastors in Crisis
The trials of pastors were featured in an article by Loretta Fulton that appeared in the December 14, 2000 issue of the Abilene Reporter-News.
Ms. Fulton noted that research by Sunscape Ministries of Colorado, which helps pastors in crisis, shows that 1,600 ministers in all denominations across the U.S. are fired or forced to resign each month.
Ministers whose families are living in church-owned housing lose their dwellings as well as their incomes. Ms. Fulton's article focused on a program in the Baptist General Convention of Texas that provides "Churches of Refuge," which give pastors and their families a roof over their heads and the fellowship of a new church family.
Barna says typical pastors have their greatest ministry impact in years five through fourteen of their pastorates. But the average pastor lasts only five years at a church.
Of course, some churches have had no choice but to take disciplinary action against wayward pastors. Unfortunately, there are people involved in ministry who entered that field of work for reasons other than a call of God. Some of these people have abused their positions, and some have even used the ministry as a means of gaining money and power.
However, there are faithful, dedicated, God-called pastors who have been mistreated and/or underpaid. Some of them also have been fired, and others have resigned due to problems like power struggles in their congregations.
These people represent valuable assets to the Christian community that ultimately could be lost. Why? Simply because we have been duped by Satan into relegating first-class Christians to second-class citizens.
Unrealistic Demands
Many times Christians establish unrealistic standards for their "full-time" ministers. They expect them to always be cheerful, available at a moment's call, never resentful, have perfectly disciplined families, be among the top givers, and do all of this on a minimal income.
Barna says the median value of pastoral compensation for America's senior pastors is presently $38,214. "That is a 19 percent increase since 1992 – significant in dollars, but still lagging inflation during that period," he says. "In other words, despite the rise in compensation, pastors effectively earn less today, based on constant dollars, than they earned a decade ago. … Pastors of churches with less than 100 adults earn, on average, just $29,808 annually."
Sadly, it's almost a tradition for pastors to be paid less than they would be paid in other positions. More than two-thirds of senior pastors have a graduate-level degree, and Barna says other professionals with that level of education earn average salaries of $60,000 or more. But he says many church-goers expect pastors, regardless of their family obligations and other needs, to earn less because they're involved in ministry.
Based on Paul's first letter to Timothy, this tradition is hard to justify. For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing, and The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Timothy 5:18).
Biblical Balance
One might argue that God's servants should be poor to follow the example of the apostles. As far as we know, none of them ever accumulated many material possessions.
In fact, Paul told Timothy, If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content (1 Timothy 6:8). But a quick glance at the previous verses reveals that Paul was making a contrast, not establishing a status.
He was saying to be content, as opposed to being greedy. Nowhere does the Scripture support the view that ministers should live at a lower standard than those to whom they minister.
Are we responsible?
It seems apparent from Paul's letters to the Corinthians that they did not consider themselves responsible for his needs.
He laid that notion to rest in 1 Corinthians 9:7. Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock? Certainly, Paul was discussing material needs in this passage.
In verse 11 of the same chapter, he said, If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
And in verse 14, he added, So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.
Standards of Living
Nearly every community in America has a different style and standard of living.
Making the decision about how a ministering Christian should live cannot be done universally; it must be decided on the principle of fairness. Each of us must ask, "Would I be willing to swap places and have my family live accordingly?" Afterward, we should give accordingly.
Reprinted with permission from Money Matters Newsletter, February 2002, published by Crown Financial Ministries, www.crown.org.
On the Firing Line
Ministerial firings are more widespread today than ever before, according to a report from USA Today. Consider these findings from several denominations:
• A study by the Barna Research Group found that whereas twenty years ago the average minister remained at least seven years in his parish, today his stay has eroded to barely five years. Barna's research, conducted between July 2000 and June 2001, was based on a survey of 1,865 senior pastors of Protestant churches nationwide. This trend, George Barna warns, "may be shortchanging pastors — and the congregations they oversee — by prematurely terminating their tenure."
• Similarly, Marcia Myers, director of personnel services for the Presbyterian Church (USA), reports that of the eighty-four cases in which relations were ended in 2000, one-fourth were involuntary.
Kevin Leicht, professor of sociology at the University of Iowa and author of Professional Work, observes that the likelihood of being fired in the ministry is higher than nearly every other profession. "Clergy firings are very high compared with the national labor force, where 1.2 percent of all employees are involuntarily terminated. The rate is even higher than coaches in the NFL, a notoriously unstable profession," says Leicht.
According to USA Today, this increased uprooting of pastors exacts a costly toll on both the church and the minister. For the church, ministerial firings may result in losing a pastor's most productive years of ministry. George Barna notes that years ten through fourteen are statistically the most productive period of a pastor's tenure. For the pastor, being fired may mean having to dislodge his family and move out of town. Additionally, forcing a pastor out leaves emotional wounds for both minister and congregation.
While these unfortunate effects of ministerial firings are at times necessary because of a pastor's misconduct, research indicates that many firings may be unjustified. A study by church consultant Alan Klaas, president of Mission Growth Ministries, investigated the causes of firings in various Christian denominations and tried to find the source of the problem. The report put most of the blame on congregations:
• In 67 percent of the cases, the congregation had been in conflict with the previous pastor too.
• In 45 percent of the cases, a minority faction was successful in manipulating a supportive majority to push the pastor out.
• Only 7 percent of the time was the cause the personal misconduct of the minister.
Charles Chandler, founder of the Ministering to Ministers Foundation, provides emergency funds, housing, legal services, and psychological and career assistance for these ministers who have been fired from their churches. In 2001, Chandler reports that his organization helped approximately 500 ousted or beleaguered ministers. That's up from 400 the year before and 100 when he started just a few years ago.
USAToday.com, February 21, 2002
