A new Barna study surveyed pastors about both their self-confidence and the challenges they face in one of society's most demanding professions. Most were found to be supremely confident in their abilities to teach, but struggling with personal relationships.
The director of the study, David Kinnaman, signified, "It is tempting for some pastors to try to emulate the most captivating and high-profile pastors. But God uses all types of people to do His work, and this research underscores the diversity of personalities, perspectives and life circumstances among pastors these days."One of the research findings showed that although pastors serve as spiritual leaders, a majority of pastors (61 percent) admitted that they "have few close friends." Family problems were also measured, with one in every five saying they are currently "dealing with a very difficult family situation." Additionally, one-sixth of them feel under-appreciated.
While the pastors stand in the pulpit and preach in front of tens to hundreds or even thousands of people every week, many were revealed as shy and introverted.
According to the study, 24 percent of America's senior pastors described themselves as introverts. The survey noted similar proportions among the adult population where 25 percent described themselves the same way. Introverted leaders were also linked to feeling under-appreciated in ministry and more apt to feel relationally isolated. Among people groups that said they were shy were non-white pastors, mainline leaders, those in the Northeast and leaders in their twenties and thirties.
Despite shy personalities, most pastors (98 percent) expressed the greatest degree of confidence in their capability as an "effective Bible teacher.”
More than nine out of every 10 pastors were found to feel that they are an "effective leader" and a similar proportion believe they are "driven by a clear sense of vision," the study stated. Also, more than eight out of 10 claim to be an "effective disciple maker” and seven out of 10 said they are "deeply involved in the community."
"Most pastors say they are driven by a clear vision, but very few pastors are able to articulate a firm, compelling vision statement for their church," Kinnaman noted.Risk-taking among pastors was also found as a common trait. Most consider themselves as "risk-takers" but the impulse declines after someone has been pastoring for 20 or more years.
