(Found on a friend's Facebook site):

September 1, 2008

* According to estimates by the Alban Institute in Washington, D.C., at least 17 percent of clergy suffer from stress or burnout.

* "The Charlotte Observer" reported. About 1,400 ministers a year call a toll-free hot line of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), which counsels ministers through its LeaderCare program.

* LeaderCare estimates that nearly 100 SBC pastors leave their ministry every month.

* Sunscape Ministries of Colorado, which serves clergy in crises, reported that in all denominations nationwide, 1,600 ministers per month are terminated or forced to resign their pulpit.

* Statistics provided by The Fuller Institute, George Barna, and Pastoral Care Inc.: 50% of Pastors have considered leaving the ministry in the last months.

* 80% of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.

* 85% of pastors said their greatest problem is they are sick and tired of dealing with problem people, such as disgruntled elders, deacons, worship leaders, worship teams, board members, and associate pastors.

* 90% said the hardest thing about ministry is dealing with uncooperative people.

* 1 out of every 10 ministers will actually retire as a minister in some form.

SOURCE: Leading from Your Strengths Website http://lfys.blogspot.com/2008/07/pastoral-statistics.html