The following are the results of the 2015 Pastor Survey conducted by ExPastors.com. I think you’ll find them very insightful. I also encourage you to participate in the 2016 Pastor Survey, which is currently going on and has new and improved questions to help us collect more data to better serve the ExPastors community. Please know these surveys are totally anonymous.
We wished to concern ourselves with getting accurate information on issues ranging from burnout and finances, to work hours and the demands on families With this objective in mind, we also chose to make our survey confidential and allow the option to answer basic demographic questions, the only exception being the initial question of whether the person filling out the survey was or was not currently serving in the role of pastor.
The 2015 Pastors Survey
Of the following, which is most accurate:
I am a pastor (170 / 62%)
I am an ex-pastor (89 / 32%)
I stepped away from the pastorate but am now serving as pastor again (16 / 6%)
At any time during your pastorate, have you doubted your call to ministry?
Yes (165 / 60%)
No (110 / 40%)
Would you consider yourself overworked?
Yes (166 / 60%)
No (109 / 40%)
At times, do you feel unable to meet the demands of the job?
Yes (222 / 81%)
No (53 / 19%)
Do you feel there are/were unrealistic demands or unwritten expectations of you and your family?
Yes (225 / 82%)
No (50 / 18%)
Have you ever considered leaving the ministry?
Yes (234 / 85%)
No (41 / 15%)
Do you constantly fight depression?
No (146 / 53%)
Yes (129 / 47%)
Do you consider yourself lonely?
Yes (174 / 63%)
No (101 / 37%)
Would you consider yourself having experienced burnout?
Yes (212 / 77%)
No (63 / 23%)
Do you have anyone you consider a close friend or someone you can share your struggles or burdens with?
Yes (207 / 75%)
No (68 / 25%)
Have you or a family member experienced a conflict with a church member within the last month?
No (158 / 57%)
Yes (117 / 43%)
What is the size of your church?
40-200 (147 / 55%)
200-450 (41 / 15%)
400-800 (28 /10%)
Below 40 (27 /10%)
800-2000 (21 /8%)
2000+ (4 /1%)
Next Step
Please fill out the 2016 Pastor Survey so that ExPastors.com may better serve you. Thanks.