The report provides insights into the spiritual, emotional, and financial wellbeing of pastors and provides recommendations to increase pastoral support to prevent ministry fatigue.
ATLANTA, July 7, 2021 – PCA Retirement and Benefits (RBI), in partnership with the Center for Transformational Churches at Trinity International University, today announced the release of a report, “Pastoral Wellbeing: PCA Pastors Reflect on the Tensions of Ministry.” The report outlines the findings from a nationwide survey of almost 900 PCA pastors and a series of 16 in-depth focus groups to uncover the practices, conditions, and choices that promote and hinder their wellbeing.
“Pastoral Wellbeing sheds light on where PCA leaders are most in need of healing and encouragement and offers practical counsel for pastors (and those who love them) that are seeking greater health as they continue to answer God’s call,” said Jon Medlock, RBI’s Vice President of People and Culture. “At RBI we believe the gospel advances and the church thrives as men and women who serve PCA ministries become spiritually and financially healthy. This study is one small part of our commitment to seeing church servants flourish.”
The study highlights both encouraging and alarming trends. For example, over 70 percent of surveyed pastors say the demands of ministry inhibit or challenge their spiritual maturity. An additional 50 percent indicated that they struggle to experience intimacy with Jesus and rarely receive care from his people.
One pastor shared, “It feels like half the ministers I’ve ever known are out, whether that’s a moral failure or they just burned out…And I want to know, do I have the longevity for this? Do I have the resilience? Because it doesn’t seem like most do.”
The research findings center around a series of core ministry tensions inherent to the life of a pastor, including “Relationships,” “Identity,” and “Systems.” The report provides an overview of these findings, and sets the stage for tactical solutions to help pastors, and those who support them, promote financial, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
The free e-book can be found at genevabenefits.org/wellbeing-services. To learn more about RBI’s services, specific research methodology, or to order printed copy of the booklet, please contact the team at relief@genevabenefits.org.
About PCA Retirement & Benefits
We guide PCA pastors and ministry workers through the complexities of financial planning and employee benefits, so they and their families are able to live generously in every season of ministry. Visit us online at genevabenefits.org to learn more about our services.
Geneva Benefits Group serves those who serve others, providing practical support for the financial, physical, and mental wellbeing of people who work in full-time ministry.
