Top 10 Difficulties and Frustrations for Pastors

Pastors today face all sorts of challenges.  They face the emotional strain of walking with people through the most difficult moments in their lives.  They face the challenge of leading volunteers, who often have vastly different opinions on how things should be done.  Pastors struggle with the tension of being trained in pastoral ministry, but being expected to operate the church with the savvy of a CEO.  And of course, there is managing the multiple expectations of parishioners.  No doubt, pastoral ministry comes with its unique set of difficulties and frustrations.

George Barna identified the top stressors pastors face several years ago, and I don’t believe the list has changed much at all.  Here is what he discovered:

  1. Thirty percent of all pastors said the lack of commitment from the laity was their number one stressor in ministry.  The number one challenge that pastors say they face is the feeling that they are expected to do it all on their own.  Regarding the ministry at the church, they often hear verbally or through innuendo, “that’s what we pay you to do.”
  2. The handling of financial and administrative duties was listed by 13% as their number one stress in ministry.  These are the bible college and seminary graduates who took classes in preaching, counseling, biblical interpretation, but never once took a class on budgets, contracts, project management or human resources.
  3. Twelve percent of pastors said the number one question they are grappling with is how to do effective outreach.  Whether do to limited budgets, not understanding the demographics of their community, or just not being sure what to try first, slightly more than one out of ten pastors said they struggle with how to best reach out to their community.
  4. One in ten pastors (10%) say that implementing change is their greatest concern.  They know the things that need to change in church, but they don’t know how to make it happen.  Personally, the first class that I can remember having taken that focused exclusively on implementing change in the church was in my doctoral program.  I wonder how many pastors have never had a single class, or even lecture, on how to implement change in their churches?
  5. Counseling was listed by 9% of pastors as their greatest challenge.  This is probably not due to a lack of concern for people, or an unwillingness to counsel.  This is likely due to a feeling of ineptitude.  Parishioners bring heavy issues to their pastors such as addictions, severe dysfunction in their lives and families, pending divorce, secrets that no one knows about, and personal sin.  Often, a pastor, who maybe has only had a few classes in counseling, feels in over their head.
  6. Developing community within the congregation was listed by 8% of pastors as their greatest challenge.  They see people who attend a service for 75 or 90 minutes on a Sunday, but never relationally connect with anyone beyond that.  They see people who call themselves “regular attenders” but only attend church once or twice a month, and never forge any real friendships in the church.
  7. Eight percent said the low level of spiritual maturity found in the people of the church caused them great concern.  They see people who have relegated the entire spiritual life to attending on Sunday, and are not praying, studying their Bible, or talking about faith around their dinner table at home throughout the week.  Pastors see that their people are not growing but they don’t know what to do to change this.
  8. How to gain greater leadership involvement by the laity was listed by 7% as something they struggle to answer.  Pastors know that their primary calling is not to do the work of the ministry, rather it is to train people to do the work of the ministry, but they struggle to find people who are willing to step up and take the lead.   Too many other things are vying for people’s attention and to make a commitment, certainly a commitment to leadership in the church, gets pushed to the side.
  9. Church politics was listed by 4% as their greatest pastoral challenge in ministry.  This could be official politics of boards, deacons, trustees and the like, that don’t let the pastor lead the church as they should.  It could also be the unofficial politics of the real power brokers and influencers in the church controlling things from behind the scenes. Whichever direction the influence comes from, politics that control, slow down, and chart a course different than the vision that God has given the pastor for the church was listed by 4% as the number one difficulty they face.
  10. Relational difficulties was also listed by 4% of pastors as their greatest challenge.  This could be quite a few different things.  It could be relationships and conflict within the church.  It could be a lack of feeling like one has genuine friends in or outside the church. It could be the toll that ministry places on the relationship the pastor has with his family.  It could be a number of things, but relationships, or the lack thereof, was listed by nearly 1 in 20 pastors as their number one concern in ministry.

This was Barna’s list, and again I don’t believe it has changed much in recent years.  What about you though, do you think there is something missing from this list?  If so, what?

Posted on
Categories: Church Growth, Church Life

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

409 thoughts on “Top 10 Difficulties and Frustrations for Pastors”

  1. Ważne jest również, aby pozwolić pracownikom wypowiedzieć się na temat proponowanych zmian, prosząc ich o opinie i sugestie na temat planowanych usprawnień. Dzięki zaangażowaniu pracowników proces automatyzacji może przebiec dużo sprawniej, niż gdyby został narzucony odgórnie. Flora fizjologiczna człowieka – zwana także mikrobiotą lub mikrobiomem – to ogół mikroorganizmów zasiedlających różne obszary ludzkiego organizmu (jak przewód pokarmowy, drogi moczowo-płciowe, drogi oddechowe, skóra) i powiązanych z nim ewolucyjnie i funkcjonalnie. Mikrobiota stanowi niezbędny element homeostazy i jest zaangażowana w podstawowe procesy biologiczne, w tym aktywność metaboliczną, regulację funkcji nabłonków, modulowanie odporności pierwotnej i nabytej. Jerzy Jarzębski
    http://forum.modulebazaar.com/forums/user/rachelsimmons/
    Slot Gates of Olympus to wysokiej jakości produkcja Pragmatic Play uznana przez silną połowę klientów kasyn. Data premiery gry kasynowej online Gates of Olympus to luty 2021 roku. Automat do gry wzbudził duże zainteresowanie wśród graczy dzięki innowacyjnej mechanice i niesamowitym graficznym efektom specjalnym. Gates of Olympus This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Oferta Powitalna: maks. 100% do 1000 zł + 400 Darmowych Spinów Gates of Olympus działa w oparciu o generator liczb losowych. Symbole wypadają tu losowo, więc aby uzyskać dobrą wygraną zaleca się wykonanie jak największej liczby prób.

    Reply

  2. First off I want to say superb blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing. I have had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out there. I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Thank you!

    Reply

  3. Violet’s journey is far from over, and the challenges she faces are getting harder. The physical and emotional toll of the war is immense. The Onyx Storm epub allows you to witness her struggle up close. The romance provides a necessary counterweight to the violence. The ebook is the perfect way to keep this addictive story in your pocket. It is a book that will keep you up all night. https://onyxstormepub.ru/ Onyx Storm.free Pdf

    Reply

  4. The concept of “party patrons” was later expanded in other books, but the seeds are here in the downtime and organization notes. Xanathar’s Guide to Everything encourages players to be part of a larger world. If you are looking for a PDF regarding guild renown and benefits, our faction guides are very detailed. We explain how to integrate player characters into the larger political structures of the setting. Give your party a purpose beyond looting by connecting them to the organizations detailed in the lore sections.

    Reply

  5. While the movies brought Panem to visual life, the original text offers an internal monologue from Katniss that the screen simply cannot capture. Her confusion, her strategy, and her conflicting feelings for Gale and Peeta are best experienced through the written word. Many fans return to the book years later to rediscover these nuances. Whether you read a paperback or download a The Hunger Games pdf for your e-reader, the depth of Collins’ writing shines through in every chapter.

    Reply

  6. [2984]66win: The top online casino in the Philippines. Access the official 66win casino link for 66win login, 66win register, and 66win app download to enjoy the best 66win slot online experience. Join 66win, the top online casino in the Philippines. Use the official 66win casino link for fast 66win login and 66win register. Get the 66win app download to enjoy the best 66win slot online games and premium rewards today! visit: 66win

    Reply

  7. Ana Huang serves up a delicious slice of drama with her Kings of Sin series. The first book focuses on the sin of wrath, embodied perfectly by Dante Russo. His anger is a shield, but Vivian Lau knows how to get under his armor. Accessing the story via a King of Wrath PDF or e-book format is the best way to carry this addictive tale with you. You will find yourself sneaking chapters during breaks because the pull of the story is that strong. It is a testament to the power of the arranged marriage trope when done with modern sensibilities.

    Reply

  9. The juxtaposition of the primitive weapons like bows and spears against the high-tech force fields and hovercrafts creates a unique aesthetic. It is a mix of the ancient and the futuristic. Collins blends these elements seamlessly. To visualize this world properly, the descriptive passages in the book are key. A digital The Hunger Games pdf renders these descriptions clearly, allowing your imagination to build the world of the arena.

    Reply

  10. For the dedicated fanbase of the Empyrean series, this release is the highlight of the publishing calendar. The intricate plot twists regarding the venin and the wards keep readers guessing until the final page. Obtaining the Onyx Storm epub is a priority for those who want to analyze every detail and theory immediately. The relationship between Violet and Xaden is tested in ways that feel authentic and painful. This isn’t just a sequel; it is a vital chapter in an epic saga. The ebook format is particularly good for searching back through the text to connect the dots with previous books.

    Reply

  11. Every legend has a breaking point, and Violet is nearing hers. The Onyx Storm epub is the window into her struggle. This format is ideal for those who want to read the book as soon as it drops, regardless of time zone. Rebecca Yarros creates characters that feel like friends, making their pain your pain. The digital edition keeps those friends close at hand. Prepare for a story that will stay with you long after you finish. https://onyxstormepub.store/ Onyx Storm Free Online Pdf

    Reply

  12. The world of the Empyrean is vast and dangerous, and you need a guide. The Onyx Storm epub is that guide. Packed with lore and action, this book is a heavy read in the best way. Digital formats make it light as a feather to carry. You can highlight, annotate, and share your favorite quotes with ease. Join the community of readers who are discovering the secrets of the storm together. https://onyxstormepub.store/ Free Epub Onyx Storm

    Reply

  14. Xaden Riorson and Violet Sorrengail return in a narrative that pushes them to their absolute limits. For the dedicated fan, the release of the Onyx Storm epub signifies the start of a reading hibernation. Digital copies ensure that you can read in the dark, long after you should have gone to sleep. The intense demand for this file proves just how captivated the audience is by Yarros’s storytelling. With dragons that are more terrifying and enemies that are more cunning, this book is essential reading. secure your copy now and prepare to have your emotions destroyed in the best way possible. https://onyxstormepub.store/ Onyx Storm Reddit Pdf

    Reply

  17. A war of dragons and magic requires a chronicler, and you are it. The Onyx Storm epub allows you to witness history in the making. This book is dense with detail and rich with emotion. Digital formats are the best way to manage such a large text. You can search for specific terms and refresh your memory instantly. Rebecca Yarros invites you back into the fold.

    Reply

  46. Hi there are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
    byueuropaviagraonline

    Reply

  48. spark dex SparkDex is redefining decentralized trading with speed, security, and real earning potential. On spark dex, you keep full control of your assets while enjoying fast swaps and low fees. Powered by sparkdex ai, the platform delivers smarter insights and optimized performance for confident decision-making. Trade, earn from liquidity, and grow your crypto portfolio with sparkdex — the future of DeFi starts here.

    Reply