A recent study revealed that 70% of Christian Church/Church of Christ ministers drop out in the first ten years. Seventy percent! That’s tragic! The 2016 to 2018 study conducted by the Center for Church Leadership also revealed that 43% of the 500 active ministers who responded to the national survey stated they were currently seriously considering dropping out of ministry.
An administrator of one of our larger Bible Colleges informed me last week that among the hundreds of their on-campus students, only two were actually studying for the preaching ministry. Very few aspire to preach the gospel in what is becoming a post-Christian culture. Combine those disturbing statistics with the recent well-publicized defections by nationally-known ministers who have renounced their faith altogether and we have cause for alarm.
One of the reasons I began conducting minister’s retreats following my retirement 13 years ago was that I’m deeply concerned about the spiritual health and well-being of our ministers. Having spent over 40 years in a local pastorate, I know ministry is a difficult calling, but it’s becoming more strenuous in the current culture. Jesus warned, “Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…” (Matthew 24:12).
The retreats I sponsor are titled “A Time of Refreshing.” Our purpose is to provide three days of spiritual renewal for preachers who have been battling on the front lines for some time. Many of them have been wounded and need healing. Others are weary and need rejuvenation. All need their spiritual batteries recharged.
Bob Russell Ministries Mentoring Group
Each retreat is limited to just eight men. There are numerous pastor’s conferences ministers can attend where they sit with hundreds of others and listen to the finest motivational speakers. The Time of Refreshing retreat is intentionally smaller and designed to be interactive. Attendees can ask questions and share with one another as well as have one-on-one time with the gifted men and women who lead the various sessions.
Over the past thirteen years, we’ve conducted over 100 retreats. Many of the over 800 participants contact me later with questions or to seek needed counsel. If someone had suggested to me that I would conduct 100 retreats and they would never become tedious or boring, I would not have dreamed it was possible. But ministering to ministers has been a sweet spot for me, and I look forward to each retreat.
The Number 1 takeaway most attendees identify is that they feel valued and loved. We are blessed with a wonderful team of caring volunteers who go out of their way to communicate their respect and appreciation for preachers. So many pastors are beaten down by criticism and opposition that while they seek to communicate the love of God to others, they sometimes don’t experience much of it from their own church members.
Below is a heart-warming thank-you note I received from a preacher who attended a recent retreat at Country Lake Camp.
“Bob, I want to thank you so much for what you are doing for the Kingdom by mentoring and giving refreshing to preachers like me. When I arrived and was greeted by the Jennes, (volunteer couple who welcome guys, valet their cars, carry their bags, escort them to their rooms, etc.) I was overwhelmed. I sat under the portico and cried (I’m not usually a crier), but I was just so overcome by thankfulness.
“I really appreciate the time and energy you pour into the week. I gleaned more in those few days than I ever have at any conference I’ve attended. I returned with a renewed energy, and one of my elders looked at me and said, “Wow, you look so energized!” Well, I bragged on you and the entire team that ministered to us that week, I have not stopped talking about the week – I’m like a fire hydrant trying to fill a teacup. So thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you!”
“Judy, Thank you for opening your home to all of us. It was very special to be invited into your lovely home, and to be treated with such hospitality was refreshing. Also, thank you for ministering to my wife. I know I don’t have to tell you, but a pastor’s wife has a hard row to hoe. My wife is an amazing lady who constantly gives of herself to others without ever getting much in return. Your words were a real encouragement to her. So thank you!”
I’m usually more blessed by the preachers who attend than I am a blessing to them. But hopefully along the way we help save some ministers who might otherwise drop out and we have invigorated some who might be running low on spiritual energy. Pray that God will grant us the health and resources to continue what I believe to be a vital ministry.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus” (Acts 3:19-20).
Next week’s post: Why Do So Many Ministers Drop Out of Ministry? Part 2
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