2004 NECF Malaysia Survey on Emotional Connection between
Ministers and Congregations from Ministers’ Perspectives
While we believe that relationship is important in any Christian ministry, ‘conflicts within church’ remains a major stumbling block. Walls perpetuate because ministers believe that it is necessary to meet the members’ expectations (spoken or unspoken) as well as their own. Many Christians believe that ministers are invincible (e.g. problem-free because ministers are closer to God and supposed to have all the answers because they know the Bible), and the ministers themselves also believe that they should be strong (e.g. they are supposed to have all the answers). Even when they leave their pastoral ministries, join another church, start their own church, or succeed in getting rid of "dissenters", the cycle continues and the problem still exists.
The present survey intends to measure the emotional connection between the ministers and their congregations from ministers’ perspectives based on the following two hypotheses:
1) Christians have always put their ministers on spiritual pedestal, at the same time, ministers themselves must constantly put up a front to meet up with members’ expectation.
2) In view of the nature of pastoral ministry, a minister may consciously or unconsciously feel the need to meet people's expectation and ability to handle any situation in order to be adequate. He must in control of where the church is heading, the church administration, the congregation, as well as his own life. And he is the one who will show congregation how to bring their lives under control. Meanwhile, he may unintentionally build walls around himself and his world to protect the above image. And consequently he appears to be stronger than he really is.
Number of respondents: 192
Some of the findings are as follows:
1. 95.81% of the survey respondents agree that congregations have high expectation on their pastors.
2. 77.48% agree that their relationships with their congregations are beyond the superficial level.
3. 86.91% agree that the ability to handle any situation is important.
4. 90.58% agree that pastors need someone to talk to. Out of this, 79.77% feel they have someone to talk to (other than their spouses) in difficult times
5. 59.17% agree that effective pastor is someone who leads the church, in charge of the church administration & finances, the congregation and his personal life.
6. 92.14 % agree that congregation generally wants a shepherd who will stand for them and relieve their burdens – someone with a voice and a vision.
7. 44.51% agree that the need to meet people’s expectation is important to me.
8. 82.72% think that a good pastor is someone who is able to show his congregation how to bring their lives under control.
9. 80.1% agree with the quotation of a church leader, "You can’t take your people beyond where you have gone yourself, so you’d better make sure your life is exemplary at every level."
10. 75.92% say they are satisfied with their relationship with their congregations. From this group, 98% believe congregations have high expectation on the ministers, and 48% see the need to meet people’s expectation is important. 72.41% feel appreciated.
11. 28.79% agree that congregations may lose respect for pastors if they show them their weaknesses.
12. 53.92% feel responsible if there is a high turnover in their respective churches
13. 42.93% think that high turnover at the church causes a pastor to lose enthusiasm over his ministry.
14. 37.69% think that people leave the church because they feel the pastor does not care enough for them.
15. 82.2% think that their congregations want them to be honest, especially about themselves. Out of this group, 62.47% say that they are not afraid to share their weaknesses to their congregations; 31.85% think that it is risky to disclose themselves honestly to their congregations; 28.66% think that congregations may lose respect for them if they show them their weaknesses; 31.85% think that congregations will perceive them as weak if they disclose too much about themselves; 80.25% feel that they would rather be transparent with their congregations rather than build walls around them
16. 79.5% feel that they would rather be transparent with their congregations rather than build walls around them. Out of this, 68.87% say that they are not afraid to share their weaknesses to their congregations; 30.46% think that it is risky to disclose themselves honestly to their congregations; 26.49% think that congregations may lose respect for them if they show them their weaknesses; 28.48% think that congregations will perceive them as weak if they disclose too much about themselves
17. 60.53% are not afraid to share their weaknesses with their congregations. Out of this, however, 27.72% agree that it is risky to disclose themselves honestly to their congregations, 24.14% agree that congregation may perceive them as weak if they disclose too much about themselves
18. 33.51% think pastors who are quick to admit their own faults publicly may give the impression that they are stuck in sinful habits and patterns.
19. 65.45% agree irreconcilable differences are a common reason for people to discontinue the services of their pastors
20. 45.56% agree that pastors work well together with other people in the ministry
21. 39.25% agree that pastors may feel threatened by another minister’s preaching skills, leadership style or large congregation.
22. 26.18% agree that pastors are unconsciously threatened by lay persons’ ministry ability.
23. 64.4% agree that disagreement with leadership is often a cause for a pastor to leave the church.
24. 27.22% agree with the quotation, "Pastors are often the lightning rod for church arguments, and pastors come to represent the issue and then they become the issue. That’s when members start looking for justification to split."
25. 85.34% feel that they trust their elders/deacons.
26. 47.12% think that pastors who seek to make changes may appear to threaten the influential church board / leadership.
27. 70.68% feel they are competent in what they do
28. 54% agree that most pastors are lonely
29. 63.87% have a mentor
30. 11.47% feel discouraged in their current ministry.
31. 66% agree that the lack of recognition and appreciation is one of the greatest discouragement in pastoral ministry
32. 80% agree that pastors need to be needed because they are human, just like any other member in the church
33. 80% say they would still choose to be a pastor given a choice
34. 86.91% agree that a small accountability group is crucial for pastors.
35. 84.61% agree that admitting their failures and realizing their own shortcomings are necessary in sharing with a small accountability group.
36. 64% of the respondents participated in NECF Malaysia Pastors Prayer Shield Campaign. Out of this group, 63.41% benefited from it.
1. I think most pastors go through burning out during the ___ years of ministry. (Choose one)
|
(a) 1-4 |
14.66% |
(b) 5 –8 |
45.55% |
(c) 9 – 12 |
22.50% |
(d) 13 & above |
6.28% |
(e) no answer |
10.99% |
2. I think most pastors go through depression during the ___ years of their ministry. (Choose one)
|
(a) 1-4 |
17.28% |
(b) 5 –8 |
28.80% |
(c) 9 – 12 |
27.23% |
(d) 13 & above |
14.1% |
(e) no answer |
12.57% |
Click here for Report on 2004 Survey Findings
Posted Mar 28, 2005 |
