In part, here are some alarming statistics that I discovered:
- 4,000 new churches begin each year and 7,000 churches close.
- Over 1,700 pastors left the ministry every month last year.
- Over 1,300 pastors were terminated by the local church each month , many without cause.
- Over 3,500 people a day left the church last year.
- Many denominations report an “empty pulpit crisis”. They cannot find ministers willing to fill positions.
- #1 reason pastors leave the ministry — Church people are not willing to go the same direction and goal of the pastor. Pastors believe God wants them to go in one direction but the people are not willing to follow or change.
- Reference: http://www.pastoralcareinc.com/statistics/
I am naturally curious so my mind begged the question, “Why are pastors leaving the ministry? There must be a reason.”
Upon further research I came across this site and what I read broke my heart. In part it reads:
- Most pastors are overworked.
- And 70% of pastors feel grossly underpaid.
- Most pastors feel unprepared.
- Many pastors struggle with depression and discouragement.
Wait, this is huge. Let’s pause here for a moment.
This means that half of the 1,700 or so pastors who leave the ministry each month have no other way of making a living. Their education and experience is wrapped up solely in the work of the ministry.
So, not only do pastors struggle with their choice to leave ministry, they have to worry about how they are going to feed their families.
- Speaking of families, most pastor’s families are negatively impacted.
- Many pastors are lonely.
- And then there is this:
The statistics speak for themselves. Working in ministry – whether you’re a full-time pastor or a lay minister balancing a job and a church – can be challenging. Families suffer, discouragement and depression – amongst a gamut of other things – runs like a river in the lives of those who sacrifice their own life to the cause of the church.
- Reference: http://www.expastors.com/why-do-so-many-pastors-leave-the-ministry-the-facts-will-shock-you/
“Why is this important,” you might be asking.
That’s a great question, and one that begs for an answer.
It is sad that so many pastors are leaving the ministry. Our world is in crisis and now is the time that we need them to stay the course and to finish the race.
We are in a spiritual battle with the spiritual wickedness and the darkness of this world.
Satan is tearing families apart, destroying lives and deceiving our children. People no longer believe the Bible is our final authority, and that we must do what it teaches.
So many are blinded by the lures the world has to offer. They don’t see the danger ahead. Your pastor is there to warn you of those dangers.
When your pastor warns you of those dangers that lie ahead, believe him. He is there to protect you from those dangers. He is there to guide you and teach you the truth of God’s Word.
If we continue this trend of pastors leaving the ministry, and churches closing their doors, there will come a time when no one will know the truth, and we will be as in the days when “everyone did that which was right in their own eyes.”
That will be a sad day, my friend.
I have been in the ministry since 1982. I was called to preach while I was serving in the US Army in Stuttgart, Germany.
I know the realities of the ministry. I love what I do. I have been through many ups and downs in ministry as well and have survived.
Yes, there have been many times I thought of quitting, but I refuse to quit and get out of the ministry. I made a decision a long time ago to stay the course and finish the race set before me by the grace of God.
One day when I stand before God, I want Him to say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
We are serving the Lord in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines. We are helping others.
There are many who are hurting, lives are broken, marriages are on the verge of a breakup, children are going hungry and many have lost hope.
I don’t know about you, but that breaks my heart. I see these things on a daily basis.
We are counseling people, encouraging them and giving them hope for a better today, and for a better tomorrow.
We are having a children’s Bible study on Saturday mornings and a youth Bible Study and fellowship on Saturday afternoon. We are making a difference in the lives of others.
We thank you for your prayers and financial support of this ministry. We need your help so we can continue to help others in need.
Please sow a generous financial gift to our ministry today. Your giving will help make a difference in the life of another. Your gift will go towards sharing the Gospel here in the Philippines, and around the world.
One way we are reaching out is to the youth in our community. We are holding Bible studies and feeding them. If you want to be a part of helping our youth, please sow a gift to help us teach and train them to be productive citizens in society, teaching them the principles of successful living.
Please so your generous gift today.
Yes, Tom. I want to sow a gift today to help support what you are doing to help others.
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Your gift to this ministry will not go unrewarded by God. Please give today.
“What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you.”
Tom Bice Ministries is a registered charitable, non-profit ministry. Your gift is tax deductible as allowed by law in the country where you live.
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