I enjoyed an evening out last night with Tracy and two of our elders and their wives. We attended the PastorCare banquet in Grand Rapids. A ministry devoted to restoring wounded pastors and their families, PastorCare is meeting a significant need. Consider these statistics that were shared with us last night:- 70% of pastors do not have someone they consider a closer friend.
- 50% feel unable to meet the needs of the job.
- 45% of pastors say that they've experienced depression or burnout to the extent that they needed to take a leave of absence from their ministry.
- The clergy has the second highest divorce rate among all professions.
- Over 1600 pastors in the United States are forced out of their positions each month.
- Nearly 1 in 4 pastors experience a forced termination at least once in their ministry.
- Only 54% of pastors go back into full-time church related positions.
After leaving our church in Indiana, I experienced some extremely difficult emotions. We poured our life into the church for a decade, and it just wasn't easy to say goodbye. We knew God was calling us to South Lansing - that was clear. But that didn't make the grieving any easier. The feeling that I was leaving home, family, and the church I loved overwhelmed me. People I loved didn't know how to talk with me about our leaving, so much was left unsaid. Friendships were strained; my best friend and I didn't even say "goodbye." My approach: suck it up and deal with it. Nevertheless, on the advice of a fellow pastor, I called John and sat down with him. He was able to help me deal with my emotions and keep from growing bitter or angry.
I am a healthier preacher today because of John Smith and PastorCare.
October is "Clergy Appreciation Month." Make sure you drop your preacher a card and tell him how much his work means to you. And, if you're so inclined, consider making a donation to PastorCare in their honor.
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