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Rainer: The Top Seven Regrets of Pastors

The Top Seven Regrets of Pastors

I recently interviewed more than twenty pastors who had been in ministry for at least 25 years. All of these men were over 55 years old. A few of them were retired, but most of them were still active in fulltime vocational ministry.

The interview was simple. I asked one open-ended question: ¡§What regrets do you have about the years you have served as a pastor?¡¨ Each of the men could provide as many responses as they desired. They could make the answers succinct, or they could elaborate upon them.

Three pastors had as few as two responses; one pastor had nine. Most of the pastors noted three or four regrets. As a researcher, I typically see patterns develop in this type of subjective research. When it concluded, I was able to see seven definitive patterns, and I was able to see the frequency they occurred.
Below are the top seven regrets noted in order of frequency. I received a total of 17 different responses, but only these seven occurred with any degree of repetition. After each regret, I provide a representative direct quote from one of the interviewees.

[Read them here]

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“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

—————–

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[©ÎªÌ¬ÛÃö¡A©ÎªÌµLÃöªº³sµ²¡Glittleho — ­JªªÀÁµ§¤§°g]

Happy Pastors: Oh really?

No, I think Out of Ur got it reversed: Barna polled them on Sunday, and University of Chicago polled pastors on Monday (when they are commonly "off").

Research shows pastors are the most satisfied professionals, but not everyone agrees.

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While I am on this topic, I come across this entry from Beliefnet.com "Joke of the day":

How to Have a Perfect Pastor

A recent survey has compiled all the qualities that people expect from the perfect pastor:

  • Results of a computerized survey indicated that the perfect pastor preaches exactly 12 minutes.
  • He frequently condemns sin but never upsets anyone.
  • He works from 8 a.m. until midnight and is also a janitor. He makes $60 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car, and gives about $80 a week to the poor.
  • He is 28 years of age, but he’s been preaching for 30 years.
  • He is wonderfully gentle and handsome.
  • He gives himself completely but never gets too close to anyone to avoid criticism.
  • He speaks boldly on social issues, but must never become politically involved.
  • He has a burning desire to work with teenagers, but he spends all his time with senior citizens.
  • He makes 15 daily calls to parish families, visits shut-ins and the hospitalized, spends all his time evangelizing the unchurched, and is always in his office when needed.