A new survey finds nearly half of PC(USA) ministers say ‘fatigue’ is a daily part of their lives.
PC(USA) Research Services released a “Minister Wellbeing Report“ recently based on data compiled from a survey of more than 4000 PC(USA) ministers conducted between September and November 2019. Respondents to the survey represented 23% of all ordained ministers in the mainline Protestant denomination.
The data suggests that 49% of surveyed ministers said they experience fatigue daily. In addition, 35% of ministers expressed concern about burnout, while 32% were concerned with isolation. Only 34% of surveyed ministers reported taking a sabbatical.
The report noted that “Fatigue is often associated with distancing oneself from constituents and family. If not attended, fatigue can lead to burnout.”
Despite the concerns over fatigue and burnout, the survey also found that 90% of respondents reported having enthusiasm for their work. Overall, 89% believe their ministry work gives meaning and purpose to their lives.
Since the survey was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, PC(USA) Research Services noted that the responses would most likely vary if the survey was conducted during the pandemic.
The study is the fifth of an eight-part series of PC(USA) reports published weekly on research regarding various aspects of ministers’ lives in the denomination.