Date

9-9-2022

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Al Sarno

Keywords

pastors, pastoral health, burnout, stress, conflict, ministry, churches

Disciplines

Religion

Abstract

American church clergy and their families are suffering from the effects of Twenty-First Century ministry and the stresses of the local church, according to research from the Fuller Institute, Barna Group, and Pastoral Care Inc. Much of the research in this area and its effects on the clergy and churches occurred more than a decade ago. Through updated research and surveys of current Southern Baptist ministers in the Baptist General Convention of Texas, this thesis will offer solutions to how these dangers can be lessened or alleviated. Through the presentation of updated statistics, the seriousness of this problem for the modern church will be made apparent for an examination of the attitudes toward the pastor in the local church. Solutions will be offered that will result in training opportunities for seminary students and current ministers on how to navigate these treacherous waters of ministry and emerge on the other side with stronger ministries, families, and churches ready to face the new normal of doing ministry in the Twenty-First Century.

Included in

Religion Commons

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