A Burden Too Heavy?

What is inside

Pastoral work is unusually complex, and the complexity itself is part of what wears leaders down. This report examines six characteristics of the work that make ministry demanding, whatever the size of the congregation.

• Thirteen task clusters, sixty-four competencies. Researchers note it is almost inconceivable that a single person could be uniformly strong across all sixty-four.
• The stakes are high. Ministry touches some of the most important and sacred dimensions of human life, and mistakes carry real weight.
• The work does not end. Pastors describe it as unrelenting and never ending, with long days and work that follows them home.
• Switching costs are real. Moving quickly between very different tasks demands cognitive effort, behavioral control, and emotion regulation.