Pain points are inevitable for pastors, but so is joy. The tears will be wiped away one day in heaven, while the joy will last for eternity. By Mark Dance Do you know who originally said, “If you love your job, you will never work a day in your life”? Search engines pin this on … [Read more…]
In a troubling sign for many congregations, half of pastors say they are often or frequently lonely, according to a report of clergy health. By Aaron Earls Pastors may be healthy in many other areas, but most say they struggle with feeling lonely, according to a report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. The U.S. Surgeon … [Read more…]
More pastors are contemplating quitting ministry and leaving their church. Several factors increase the likelihood of those thoughts. By Aaron Earls After enduring the pandemic and reestablishing many of their congregational rhythms, more pastors say they are thinking about leaving their church and maybe even ministry. Lifeway Research studies on the subject found pastors haven’t … [Read more…]
Research shows some of the cultural chaos seems to be settling. We are in a new world, which calls for new skills and a new mindset. By D. Scott Hildreth A couple of months ago, I went to a local shopping mall to have my computer repaired. It had been years since I’d walked through … [Read more…]
For the first time in the history of Gallup’s survey, fewer than a third of Americans trust pastors’ honesty and ethical standards. By Aaron Earls When pastors speak with people in their communities, they may have to overcome an initial distrust. Gallup’s 2023 Honesty and Ethics poll found the ratings of nearly all professions measured to be lower … [Read more…]
In terms of books that encompass the trials that pastors face today none articulate it better than in the book The Resilient Pastor by Glenn Packiam. His book gives a bird’s eye view into the current issues that pastors and the church are facing, along with the hope that we have for the future. Packiam’s … [Read more…]
There are some essential resources to help you and your church navigate the current mental health crisis. By Jamie Aten, Ph.D., & Kent Annan, M.Div. We are in the middle of a mental health crisis. Seventy percent of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event. Over two-thirds of children have experienced a traumatic event … [Read more…]
These health practices can allow a pastor to make the greatest impact for the gospel and lead his family well. By Clayton King At age 48, my life was turned inside out when my appendix burst. After emergency surgery, an infection led to sepsis, and I found myself back in the hospital. The next 10 weeks … [Read more…]
Editor’s Note: This article from Lifeway Research helps us all understand the uphill battle we face in our current culture. Let us take in the information as a clarification of our understanding and further heed the clarion call to speak the truth in love to a dying world that desperately needs to hear it. Trust … [Read more…]
Ok, time for a confession. I love video games. I have played video games on a somewhat regular basis since I first sent Pac-Man flying across the screen gobbling up pellets and power pellets on my Atari 2600. From there, I swung across alligators in Pitfall, moved on to the NES as Mario and Link, … [Read more…]