{"id":1645,"date":"2020-08-25T05:00:42","date_gmt":"2020-08-25T09:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.namb.net\/church-replanting\/?post_type=resource&p=1645"},"modified":"2020-08-21T18:18:56","modified_gmt":"2020-08-21T22:18:56","slug":"is-pastoring-sustainable-these-days","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.namb.net\/church-replanting\/resource\/is-pastoring-sustainable-these-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Pastoring Sustainable These Days?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m more of a drive-by social media guy. In fact, sometimes I don\u2019t even drive by, but share posts from a service that doesn\u2019t tempt me to scroll through my Twitter feed endlessly \u2014 especially during sermon prep.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll send a verse or quote from my studies to the masses and then move on with my day. As an easily distracted person, I don\u2019t need any help being distracted!<\/p>\n

But recently I had extra time in the morning before a meeting and used it to scroll through some tweets. As I did,\u00a0one\u00a0stopped me in my tracks. It read:<\/p>\n

Prediction: In the next two years, there will be a large exodus of pastors from the pastorate. Every pastor I talk with is exhausted and, to a degree, frustrated. Theological and ideological differences between pastor and parishioners is increasing. It\u2019s not sustainable.<\/em><\/p>\n

The\u00a0latest LifeWay Research survey\u00a0of Protestant pastors doesn\u2019t tell us they want to leave the pulpit, but it does tell us about their struggles born out this challenging era of world history.<\/p>\n

Here are some things pastors said about their ministry pain points as it relates to COVID-19:<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m aware people are growing weary of the entire pandemic. Some are scared to death, while others are convinced it\u2019s a hoax. Trying to minister to both ends of the spectrum is exhausting.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cConnecting with people is still a struggle. It\u2019s tough to reach out to folks at the time they want \u2014 especially with hospitals still limiting visitors. Phone calls and Zoom meetings are soul-sucking in a way that in-person ministry is not.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI desperately need time off, but with having to organize live streams, worship services, and Sunday School, I have no time to get away. I\u2019m a one-person staff, and it\u2019s difficult to find someone willing to fill in for me. I\u2019ve had two days off since Christmas.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Here are some statistical findings worth noting:<\/p>\n