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What’s Up:
We don’t have a clergy shortage problem. We have a clergy misalignment problem, and misalignment means pastor burnout.
So What:
Pastors aren’t leaving because ministry is hard. They’re leaving because they can’t do the ministry they were called to. That’s the real crisis.
The Point Is:
The Numbers Are Confusing
Some stats say pastors are quitting. Others say they’re more satisfied than ever. Both can be true. [Lifeway Research]
Tenure Has Improved
The average tenure is up from 18 months to seven years. That’s a win. But it doesn’t mean pastors are thriving.
The Calling Gets Lost
Most pastors didn’t sign up to referee fights or manage facility repairs. They wanted to disciple, reach the lost, and lead spiritually.
Time Is the Real Issue
The job gets hijacked by everything except what matters. You’re not called to play Pastor Fetch. You’re called to fulfill your mission.
And … ?
There’s this persistent myth that pastors burn out because the job is too big or the hours are too long. Nonsense. Most pastors are fully capable of the work, especially when they’re doing the work that actually feeds their soul and aligns with their calling. What breaks them is not having the time or space to live into that calling. Instead, they’re sucked into perpetual board meetings, broken boiler complaints, and playing spiritual babysitter to a revolving door of chronically dissatisfied members.
Sure, the stats say the average tenure has improved, and that’s great. But tenure doesn’t mean satisfaction. It might just mean they haven’t quit yet. If a pastor spends all their time running errands for the congregation instead of leading them into mission, frustration is inevitable. The solution? Structure the calendar around your calling. That means literally putting disciple-making time on your calendar first. Block it. Protect it. And yes, fight for it. That’s how you stay in ministry long enough to do what you were called to do in the first place.
Action!
Download the free Get More Time Planner and start prioritizing what you were actually called to do: https://fun.effectivechurch.com/get-more-time
