Jonathan Herron

Latest Stats on Unique Stresses of Pastoring During COVID Era

2020 has been the most complex year I've ever experienced as a lead pastor.

Last night, I was talking with my wife about our emotional health as we approach the end of the year.

"I just feel so broken," she shared with honesty and transparency.

Turns out, we all feel like we're running on empty.

You are not alone.

 

A 2013 study from the Schaeffer Institute reports that 1,700 pastors leave the ministry each month, citing depression, burnout, or being overworked as the primary reasons.

According to the study, 90% of pastors report working 55 to 70 hours a week, and 50% of them feel unable to meet the demands of the job.

 

Brian Dodd states that pastoring has one of the top three suicide rates of any profession.

He admonishes congregation members for not supporting their faithful leaders.

He claims that complaining, often inconsiderate members increase the stress and expect too much of their pastors.

 

Reasons for Pastoral Burnout
Some of the common causes for pastor burnout are:

• Being on call 24/7;
• Criticism and poor conflict resolution skills;
• Trying to please or solve everyone’s problems;
• Not delegating tasks;
• Poor social networks;
• Not equipped for all aspects of ministry;
• Limited social life outside the church.

 

 

Scott Sauls said that oftentimes, pastors feel “lonely” within their own communities.”

“Case in point, 2020,” he said. “You've got this dynamic where reality is 70% of pastors right now around America are looking for another job.”

Because of the pandemic, many pastors feel “ghosted” by their congregations, the pastor said.

“Our people feel like they're still with us because they see us and hear us from their living rooms, and yet, we just have this complete void of relationship,” he explained. “Oftentimes, people treat the church as a consumer good, [but pastors] see the church as our family ... so the dynamic of loneliness and isolation is amplified in a time like this.”

The current “negativity of environment” is often “taken out” on caregivers like pastors and therapists, Sauls contended.

“It really is the perfect emotional storm right now for pastors,” he said. “Fighting against isolation is utterly essential.”

Need A Lift?

I don't claim to have all the answers, but I do know based on these stats and my own experience in 2020, we need each other.

You can't do life and leadership alone.

Even Jesus did ministry with a team!

 

I would be honored to welcome you to our weekly online Coaching Cohort -- for a limited time at no cost, no strings attached.

Like you, I'm concerned about pastors and leaders feeling isolated and alone.

Let's change that.

REGISTER NOW to join us this Tuesday, 10am EST on Zoom.

20 Things I've Learned in 20 Years of Ministry

Green-eared and fresh out of college, I stepped into the frenetic world of full-time ministry on November 15, 2000 while also pursuing my Master's Degree.

Sunday, November 15, 2020 marks exactly 20 years as a pastor.

I wish I could say that I have it all figured out.

I don't.

In fact, the longer I'm in ministry, the more I realize how much I don't know.

But there's nothing else like it: serving people, sharing Christ's love, and turning the world upside-down.

 

For what it's worth, here's a simple list of 20 Tips from Serving 20 Years as a Pastor:

 

1. Always Choose Grace > Guilt
   When your default is to believe the best about someone instead of jumping to conclusions and assuming the worst, God is honored and people are respected.
   
   
2. Complexity is the norm.
   Leadership decisions are not always black and white.  When you are working with people, there is so much more complexity in leading and solving problems.  Some days, the only thing a leader can pray is this: "We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (2 Chronicles 20:21).
   
   
   
   
3. You'll never feel 100% certain before making a decision.  Never.
   Leadership is not about making the big decisions; it's about owning the decisions after they've been made!
   
   
4. Remember, it's always about People > Programs.
   If you're holed up in your office surfing the web, you are doing ministry wrong.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Get a Mentor.
   Paul had a Timothy and Timothy had a Titus.  Learn from leaders who have gone before you.  Don't wait for them to give you advice; have a list of written questions ahead of time to ask them!  Always maintain a posture of humility. 
   I am so thankful for my mentors over these past 20 years: Jeff Miller, Perry Noble, and Bob Goff.
   
   
   
6. Focus on Quality, not Quantity.
   It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be amazing!  Ruthlessly evaluate your weekend experiences and make it better.
   
   
   
7. However long you lead,
   keep dripping with Gratitude and Grace.
   
   
   
8. Get Used To Unfair Criticism.
   When you sign up to be a leader of an organization, it means sometimes you will give up the right to be treated right.
   
   (see: Moses in Numbers, King David in 1 Samuel, Jesus in the Gospels, Paul in Acts 16, etc).
   
   
   
   
9. Size Doesn't Matter.
   Do not despise the days of small beginnings (I remember when our church start-up could fit inside my living room!).  Appreciate the privilege of leading and the journey of growth.  Whether you're serving three people or three thousand people, always bring your A-Game and leave them wanting more!
   
   
   

   “I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.” (Andy Bernard on The Office)

   
   
   
10. Choose to Cheat
    

    11. You're Going to Make Mistakes.
             Take it from me.  You will blow it. 
             When you do, own it.  The most powerful two words a leader can offer
             to begin rebuilding trust are, "I'm Sorry."

        12.  Gossip is a Weak Man's Strength.
                  Tell your team and model these words always:
                  "I will never say anything about you that I would not first say to you." 
                 
                  Always choose to have a conversation over condemnation!
                 "Whoever overlooks an offense promotes love,
                    but whoever gossips about it separates friends."  (Proverbs 17:9)

          

        

        13. Always Take the High Road.
                You will honor God plus there's less traffic!

        14. Never listen to criticism
               from someone you would not turn to for wisdom.

        15.  Leaders are Readers.
                     The moment you stop reading is the moment you stop leading.

 

         16.  Integrity Matters.
                    King David wrote:"I will keep a protective eye on the godly,
                    so they may dwell with me in safety.

                    Only those who are ABOVE REPROACH will be allowed to serve me." (Psalm 101:6-7)

            

            17.  The Friends You Have History With
                   Aren't Necessarily Who You Will Make History With.

 

        18.  Create Margin in Your Daily Schedule for Interruptions.

                        Read Matthew chapters 6 - 8 and count how many times
                        Jesus gets interrupted by people.  He always made time for everyone. 
                        

                      Every person matters.  Your ministry will flow from the interruptions. 

 

            19.  Greatness Is Never On Sale.
                        Complacency is not an option. 

                        If your church does not evangelize, it will eventually fossilize! 
                        NEVER APOLOGIZE for attempting to fulfill the Great Commission. 

                        Stop making EXCUSES and start making a DIFFERENCE.

                        Hustle and make it happen!

 

        20.  The Best Is ALWAYS Yet To Come!
                        Your best days are not behind you... they are AHEAD of you. 

                        Don't build a museum to the past.  Instead forge a movement for the future. 

                        In the end, you get Jesus.  That means that no matter what trials you face,

                        the best is always yet to come!

 

 

 

Let It Go

 “Fan into 🔥 the gift of God that is in you...

For God did not give you a spirit of fear...”

(2 Timothy 1:6-7) 👊🏽

///

MORE MOTIVATION: My Conversation with BOB GOFF at JonathanHerron.com/podcast

6 Easy Steps to Improving Your Team Now

1. LOVE
All of life is about LOVE.
Love God. Love People. If you want to get anything done as a group, love your team!

It’s always easy for a team to flourish if they feel loved. 
It’s always difficult for a team when all they feel is "tolerated."
People tend to lead well where they’re loved, as opposed to tolerated. 


2. ENCOURAGEMENT
I don’t know a single person that feels “too encouraged."
I can’t think of a single friend who has felt like their biggest problem is that they're getting too much encouragement. Can you?

Remember that everyone feels discouraged, overwhelmed, isolated, hurt, broken, frustrated.

Encouragement can go so far! It’s so needed.
Encourage your team and watch them thrive!


3. VULNERABILITY
No one likes working with the "fake" you – everyone loves working with the real you! 
People love transparency.
People love a genuine leader.
People love authenticity.
People don’t require you to be a perfect leader; they want you to be a real leader. 




4. SELFLESSNESS
We all have a touch of selfishness in us. We have to arrest our own motives and egos.

Within us all is a twinge of: “I’m out for me. I look after my own. I prioritize my own interests first.” We all struggle with it. 

One of the things that pushes teams to greatness is a lack of ego.
When selfishness is removed, ego gets set aside, and pride retires, everything else starts to flourish!

Show me a team that’s selfish and struggles with a few “Me Monsters,” and I’ll show you a team that has a ton of frustration and struggles to grow.


5. UNITY
Fight for it. It’s worth it. 

Unity doesn’t just fall from the sky – it takes a lot of relational investment. A lot of meals. A lot of time spent together outside of the office. 

Unity is the thing that makes life and work extremely fun! But when it’s missing, LIFE AND LEADERSHIP ARE SO DANG DIFFICULT.
Invest into unity! 




6. COMMUNICATION
Leadership is communication. Write down three ways you can improve your communication with your team this week!

Maybe you're doing great at one or two of these things, but make it your goal to be great at them ALL!

We all have room to grow – make the choice to be the best version of you.

Integrity Matters

In Psalm 101:6-7, King David writes,

 

"I will keep a protective eye on the godly, so they may dwell with me in safety. Only those who are ABOVE REPROACH will be allowed to serve me."

 

WOW!

 

David - a man after God's own heart (and thus a life of leadership we should seek to emulate!) - would only allow men & women of integrity to surround him.

 

He goes on in verse 7 to say, "I will not allow deceivers to serve me, and liars will not be allowed to enter my presence."

 

Christian leaders of questionable character were not allowed into this king's presence - he would have nothing to do with them.

 

The idea of integrity and honor was so paramount to David that he took the time to offer this godly advice to us in the Psalms, advice that echoes to us now 3,000 years later.