Can Pastors Really Be Happy?

In last week’s newsletter, I presented information we’ve gathered in our study of pastors over the past two decades. The brief report included information about the percentage of pastors who’ve been fired or forced out (22.8 percent) and the percentage of pastors who, since they’ve been in ministry, have had sexual intercourse with someone other than their spouse (12 percent). (Click here for the complete report.)

But by far the most controversial statistics were these unassuming ones:

—91 percent of pastors say they feel “very positive” or “positive” about ministry

—Nearly all feel satisfied (91 percent “very satisfied” or “satisfied”)

—They want to stay in ministry (75 percent “definitely want to stay” and 21 percent “prefer to stay”).

One reader, David, commented: “I wonder how you came to the percentages you did. What I hear and read presents a far more bleak picture.”

The statistics came from Christianity Today’s surveys, usually print questionnaires sent to 500 or more randomly selected names of church leaders. Over the years, I’ve seen a pattern that about 12-15 percent of pastors indicate distress — financial, emotional, etc. But the vast majority, though battered, feel a calling and an overall satisfaction. (It should be noted, however, that some of our satisfaction measures come from a survey conducted in 1994, and it’s possible, though unknown, that satisfaction has declined since then.)

So what explains the satisfaction? A minister from North Carolina wrote: “It seemed, based on what you said, that this was a survey of current ministers only. That means that the results would be skewed in a more positive direction than was warranted on a number of questions. For example, #1 asks if pastors are content in ministry, and want to remain there. Most said yes. But asking people who have chosen to remain in ministry will give you a more positive result than if you ask all of those who entered ministry (including those who are still ministers and those who have left the ministry).”

He’s right. If we were able to add responses from those who’ve left the ministry, the reported levels of satisfaction would probably decline. We’d like to include that information but don’t have, nor could we figure out how to obtain, a mailing list of former pastors. All we can say with certainty is that those who’ve remained in ministry report high levels of satisfaction with it.

Another reader, Jamie, commented: “I wonder if your results more reflect a different reality. Perhaps what is indicated is that pastors who are connected to a journal like yours (i.e., teachable, hungry for spiritual growth, willing to receive help, etc.) are more likely than those who aren’t to be happy in the ministry.”

I’m sure Jamie is right. Our subscriber lists, whether from Leadership (http://ChristianityToday.com/leaders/) or Christianity Today, (http://ChristianityToday.com/ct/) comprise people willing to pay for learning, and thus, they probably believe change and improvement are possible.

So what really does account for ministers’ high levels of job satisfaction? Is it (a) the absence of respondents who left ministry or (b) the prevalence of respondents who subscribe to magazines and thus must believe in learning and a better future? While recognizing those factors, I wonder if there may be an even simpler explanation: (c) Pastors may actually be happy.

Yes, ministry is incredibly difficult, with long hours, low pay, and frequent criticism. But it includes the opportunity to be deeply and meaningfully involved in people’s lives and to directly advance God’s kingdom. I think that’s why, when asked, “If you had it to do over again, would you choose a career in ministry?” an overwhelming 86 percent said yes.

It’s a conundrum, but still the case, as John Newton put it 200 years ago, that ministry is “the worst of all jobs and the best of all callings.”

—Kevin A. Miller is editor of Leadership Weekly and executive editor of www.BuildingChurchLeaders.com. To reply, write Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net.