{"id":32715,"date":"2022-09-10T16:20:20","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:20:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/u-s-pastors-identify-their-greatest-needs\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:20:20","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:20:20","slug":"u-s-pastors-identify-their-greatest-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/u-s-pastors-identify-their-greatest-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Pastors Identify Their Greatest Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
Andrea Piacquadio photo – Pexels<\/div>\n

By Aaron Earls<\/em><\/p>\n

Pastors face unique difficulties inherent in their career, but what are their greatest needs? Pastors themselves say they’re most concerned about seeing their churchgoers grow spiritually and making connections with those outside of their churches.<\/p>\n

After speaking directly with pastors to gather their perspectives on their ministry and personal challenges, Lifeway Research surveyed 1,000 U.S. pastors for the 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study to discover what they see as their most pressing issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pre-existing challenges of ministry were amplified by COVID, and it\u2019s important we lean in and listen closely to pastors,\u201d said Ben Mandrell, president of Lifeway Christian Resources. \u201cThis project has shed light on critical needs they have and will point the way forward in how we partner with them to fuel their ministries and improve their health in multiple areas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Protestant pastors identified 44 distinct issues they see as potentially one of their greatest needs. Of those, 17 were selected by a majority in Lifeway Research's 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said his team began the study by speaking with more than 200 pastors, asking them to think beyond the current pandemic-related struggles and share some of the enduring needs of pastors and their churches today.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir responses to the challenges they face and the areas that are most important for them were then presented to more than 200 additional pastors,\u201d explained McConnell. \u201cBased on those responses, 1,000 pastors were asked about almost four dozen needs to measure the extent to which each is something they need to address today.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Of the 44 needs identified by pastors and included in the study, 17 were selected by a majority as an issue they need to address.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Developing leaders and volunteers: 77%<\/li>\n
  • Fostering connections with unchurched people: 76%<\/li>\n
  • People\u2019s apathy or lack of commitment: 75%<\/li>\n
  • Consistency in personal prayer: 72%<\/li>\n
  • Friendships and fellowship with others: 69%<\/li>\n
  • Training current leaders and volunteers: 68%<\/li>\n
  • Consistency of Bible reading not related to sermon or teaching preparation: 68%<\/li>\n
  • Trusting God: 66%<\/li>\n
  • Relationships with other pastors: 64%<\/li>\n
  • Consistency in taking a Sabbath: 64%<\/li>\n
  • Stress: 63%<\/li>\n
  • Personal disciple making: 63%<\/li>\n
  • Confessing and repenting from personal sin: 61%<\/li>\n
  • Consistency exercising: 59%<\/li>\n
  • Avoiding overcommitment and over-work: 55%<\/li>\n
  • Challenging people where they lack obedience: 55%<\/li>\n
  • Time management: 51%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u201cThe number and breadth of needs pastors are currently facing is staggering,\u201d said McConnell. \u201cAll seven spiritual needs asked about on the survey are a current concern for most pastors, as well as practical, mental, self-care, skill-development, and needs around ministry difficulties. Clearly pastors are not looking for shortcuts and are taking their roles as spiritual leaders in their church seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The need identified by the most pastors as one of the greatest needs? 77% say developing leaders and volunteers. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

    The 44 identified needs fall into seven broader categories. Subsequent releases in Lifeway Research\u2019s 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study will explore each of the categories and the related needs specifically.<\/p>\n

    Single greatest need<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    When asked to narrow down their list to the single greatest need requiring their attention, pastors\u2019 responses varied. At least one pastor surveyed picked each of the 44 possible needs, while 23 needs garnered at least 2% of pastors. Eight needs were chosen by more than 3% of pastors, and one reached double digits.<\/p>\n