You might not realize it, but there is a good chance that your ministry leaders are close to burnout! The statistics for pastors are staggering:
80% of pastors are discouraged in their role as pastors.
40% of pastors seriously considered leaving the pastorate in the past three months.
50% of pastors say they are unable to meet the demands of their job and are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
For every 20 pastors who go into ministry, only one retires from the ministry.
25% of pastors have been forced out or fired from their ministry at least once.
45% of pastors say they've experienced depression or burnout to the extent that they need to take a leave of absence.
Of 1,050 pastors surveyed by the Schaeffer Institute, every one of them—100 percent—had a close associate or friend from seminary who had left the ministry because of burnout, conflict in their church, or from a moral failure.
70% of pastors say they do not have a single close friend, and the same percentage say they have lower self-esteem than when they entered the ministry.
Denominational health insurance agencies report that medical costs for clergy are higher than the average professional group.
But there is something your church/organization can do to help your ministry couple to be renewed, refreshed and refocused for many more fruitful years ahead: give them the gift of a retreat.
It’s not just Elijah who fled into the wilderness after a stressful ministry time and was refreshed by God at the brook Cherith (1.Kings 17).
Jesus regularly retreated from the demands of the ministry to spend time alone with His Father, and He told His disciples: “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (Mk.6:31 NASB)
Kingfisher Crossing is such a secluded place away from the fast pace and high demands of ministry, nestled beside a small, quiet lake on 55 acres of pristine nature. (See 'About' tab.)
Maybe this is just what you have been looking for to express how much you appreciate and honour your spiritual leaders: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17).
To reserve a place for your ministry couple please contact us.
Kingfisher Spiritual Direction Direct your heart to Jesus and restore your soul. If you need to hear from God, to grow deeper with Him, consider spiritual direction. An ancient discipline of soul care, Heidi is trained to prayerfully lead you in this practice.