evangelical pastor study - influence for...

EvangelicalPastorStudyPresentedto

Na5onalAssocia5onofEvangelicals

July2015

•  Thestudywasconductedonlinethrough19par7cipa7ngdenomina7ons.Eachdenomina7onwasresponsibleforsendinginvita7onstoseniorpastors.

•  Onlyseniorpastorswereallowedtopar7cipate.•  Ques7onnairedesignandanalysiswasconductedbyGrey

MaBerResearch&Consul7ng(Phoenix,AZ).•  Atotalof4,249interviewswerecompleted.Finaldatawas

weightedtorepresenttherela7venumberofU.S.congrega7onsineachdenomina7on.

StudyDetails

2

RespondentBackground

3

Gender

Female,4%

Male,96%

Asmightbeexpected,thevastmajorityofseniorpastorsweremen.

4Q39. What is your gender?

Age

Theaverageagewas52.7,withamedianof54.Theonlinemethodologyundoubtedlyskewedagedownwardabit,asabouthalfofallAmericanswhodonotusetheinternetaresenioradults.

5Q40. What is your age?

4%

24%

36%

23%

14%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

70orolder

Six7es

Fi\ies

For7es

Under40

Race/Ethnicity

AlmostnineoutoftenrespondentswereCaucasian.

6Q42. What is your racial or ethnic background?

1%

2%

3%

6%

88%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Other

Asian/PacificIslander

Black

La7no

White

GraduateEduca7on

Sixoutoftenpastorshadaseminaryorothergraduatedegree.Thiswasmorecommoninlargerchurches,andthereforealsoamongfull-7mepaidpastors.

7Q41. Do you hold a seminary or other graduate degree?

76%

66%

58%

54%

57%

64%

62%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size>50

Other

Full-7me

All

GeographicRegion

TheMidwestwasmostheavilyrepresentedinthisstudy,withrela7velyfewcomingfromtheNortheast.

8Q43. In what state is your church located?

23%

29%

37%

10%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

West

South

Midwest

Northeast

CommunityType

Almostsixoutoftenrespondentswerefromsmalltownsorruralareas.

9Q44. How would you describe the community your church is in?

8%

11%

11%

13%

34%

24%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Largecity

Suburboflargecity

Smallcity

Suburbofsmallcity

Smalltown

Ruralarea

LengthofServicewithCurrentChurch

<3,21%

3to5,20%

6to10,23%

11to20,24%

21+,13%

Pastorshadbeenwiththeircurrentchurchanaverageof9.7years,withamedianof7.

10Q2. How many years have you been the senior/lead pastor at this church?

TenurebyChurchSize

7.85

9.30

10.58

12.19

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Under50people

50-99

100-299

300ormorepeople

Thelargerthecongrega7on,thehighertheaveragenumberofyearsthecurrentpastorhadservedthere.

11Q2. How many years have you been the senior/lead pastor at this church?

PastorPosi7onOnlyaminorityofpastorsinthesmallestchurcheshadafull-7mepaidposi7on,butalmostallpastorsinchurchesof100ormorehadsuchaposi7on.

12Q3. Which best describes your current status as a pastor?

97%

94%

71%

39%

74%

0%

1%

5%

10%

4%

2%

4%

19%

37%

16%

1%

2%

3%

13%

5%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

All

Full-7mePaid Part-7mepaid Bi-voca7onal Unpaid

ABendance

<50,26%

50to99,29%

100to199,24%

200to299,9%

300+,13%

Theaveragechurchsizewas175people,withamedianof84.Oneoutofeveryfourchurcheshadfewerthan50adultsandchildrenaBending.

13Q4. Approximately how many adults and children attend the church during your weekend services?

ConfidencewithFinances

14

ConfidenceShepherdingFinancesPastorswerefarmorelikelytobeconfidentshepherdingtheirhousehold’sfinancesthanmanagingtheirchurch’sfinances.

15

1%

3%

17%

56%

23%

0%

1%

8%

45%

46%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Notatall

Notvery

Onlysomewhat

Mostly

Completely

PersonalFinances ChurchFinances

Q5/15. How confident are you in your knowledge and abilities when it comes to shepherding your church’s /household’s financial situation, with everything that entails?

ShepherdingChurchFinancesYoungerpastorsandthosewhowereinchurcheswithshakyfinanceswereconsiderablylessconfidentthanothersshepherdingtheirchurch’sfinances.

16Q5. How confident are you in your knowledge and abilities when it comes to shepherding your church’s financial situation, with everything that entails?

15%

26%

33%

22%

11%

52%

58%

54%

59%

54%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

CompletelyConfident MostlyConfident

ShepherdingHouseholdFinancesThesitua7onwassimilarwithhouseholdfinances:youngerpastors,thosewhohadshakyhouseholdfinances,andthosecarryingdebtwereconsiderablylessconfidentthanothersshepherdingtheirhousehold’sfinances.

17Q15. How confident are you in your knowledge and abilities when it comes to shepherding your household’s financial situation, with everything that entails?

59%

41%

20%

54%

57%

43%

38%

36%

47%

51%

43%

37%

46%

50%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Nodebt

Havedebt

Own$shaky

Own$solid

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

CompletelyConfident MostlyConfident

ChurchFinances

18

ChurchIncome

Theaveragegi\incomeforchurcheswas$286,053,butthemedianwasonly$125,000.Thisworksouttoabout$1,632ofincomeperaBendee.

19Q7. Approximately what was your church’s total gift income for 2014?

13%

11%

12%

25%

21%

20%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

$500k+

$300-499k

$200-299k

$100-199k

$50-99k

<$50k

ChurchFinancialSitua7on

Whileonlyoneoutoftenchurcheswereonshakyfinancialground,just22%wereverysolidfinanciallywithfewornoconcerns.

20Q6. How would you describe your church’s current financial situation?

3%

7%

21%

48%

22%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%100%

Veryshaky,significantconcerns

Mostlyshaky,manyconcerns

Somewhatsolid,concerns

Mostlysolid,fewconcerns

Verysolid,noconcerns

ChurchFinancialSitua7onThesmallerthechurch,thegreaterthechancesthatitwasinaprecariousfinancialsitua7on.

21Q6. How would you describe your church’s current financial situation?

35%

24%

19%

14%

22%

51%

53%

46%

41%

48%

12%

17%

24%

29%

21%

2%

6%

10%

17%

9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

All

VerySolid Solid SomewhatSolid Mostly/VeryShaky

Congrega7onalSupport

Small#ofpeopleprovidemostsupport,

48%

Supportevenlyshared,52%

Almosthalfofallchurchesgetalargepropor7onoftheirfinancialsupportfromasmallnumberofpeople,andwithoutthosepeoplethechurchwouldbeintrouble.

22Q8. Which of the following best describes your church’s financial support?

ASmallNumberofSupportersHavingchurchfinancialsupportinthehandsofasmallnumberofpeoplewaspar7cularlycommoninsmallercongrega7onsandinchurcheswhichwereonshakygroundfinancially.

23Q8. Which of the following best describes your church’s financial support?

72%

36%

16%

36%

54%

71%

28%

64%

84%

64%

46%

29%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

Small#ofSupporters EvenDistribu7on

ChurchFinancialCulture

24

Posi7veFinancialCulture

Ninety-twopercentusedatleastoneposi7vetermtodescribetheirchurch’sculturewhenitcomestodiscussingchurchfinances.However,amajoritywouldnotdescribeitasorganized,construc7ve,professional,orespeciallyunifying.

25Q11. Please click on all the terms you would use to describe your church’s culture when it comes to discussing church finances.

92%

24%

40%

45%

47%

60%

65%

66%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Anyposi7ve

Unifying

Professional

Construc7ve

Organized

Generous

Open/transparent

Respecpul

Posi7veFinancialCulture

Theaveragepropor7onwhousedeachposi7vedescrip7onwasconsiderablylowerforpastorsinsmallerchurchesandchurchesthatwereonshakygroundfinancially.


32%

55%

63%

53%

47%

41%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

Nega7veFinancialCulture

Thirty-sixpercentusedatleastonenega7vetermtodescribetheirchurch’sculturewhenitcomestodiscussingchurchfinances,withthemostcommonbeing“delegated”and“uncomfortable.”


36%

1%

3%

3%

3%

4%

5%

7%

14%

17%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Anynega7ve

Disrespecpul

Divisive

Adversarial

Moneyasaweapon

Lackingtransparency

Miserly

Disorganized

Uncomfortable

Delegated

Nega7veFinancialCulture

Thepropor7onwhousedatleastonenega7vedescrip7ondidnotvarymuchbychurchsize,butitwasmuchhigheramongyoungerpastorsandinchurchesthatwereonshakygroundfinancially.


47%

31%

30%

34%

45%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

Posi7veCompensa7onCulture

Eighty-fivepercentusedatleastoneposi7vetermtodescribetheirchurch’sculturewhenitcomestodiscussingthepastor’scompensa7on.Butonlyoneofthesevenposi7vetermstestedhadamajorityofallpastorsselec7ngthatterm:“respecpul.”

29Q14. Please click on all the terms you would use to describe your church’s culture when it comes to discussing your own financial compensation and benefits as the pastor.

85%

18%

31%

39%

45%

46%

50%

68%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Anyposi7ve

Unifying

Organized

Construc7ve

Generous

Professional

Open/transparent

Respecpul

LessPosi7veCulture

Pastorssawthechurchcultureaslessposi7vewhenitcomestotheirowncompensa7on,par7cularlyintheareasoftransparency,generosity,andorganiza7on.

30

85%

18%

46%

39%

31%

45%

50%

68%

92%

24%

40%

45%

47%

60%

65%

66%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Anyposi7ve

Unifying

Professional

Construc7ve

Organized

Generous

Open/transparent

Respecpul

ChurchFinances Compensa7on

Posi7veCompensa7onCulture

Theaveragepropor7onwhousedeachposi7vedescrip7onwasconsiderablylowerforpastorsinsmallerchurchesandchurchesthatwereonshakygroundfinancially,plusforthosewhoweredissa7sfiedwiththeirowncompensa7on.


31%

50%

34%

47%

53%

46%

40%

36%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Unsa7sfiedwith$

Sa7sfiedwith$

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

Nega7veCompensa7onCulture

Thirty-threepercentusedatleastonenega7vetermtodescribetheirchurch’sculturewhenitcomestodiscussingpastoralcompensa7on,withthemostcommonbeing“uncomfortable.”


33%

1%

3%

2%

2%

4%

5%

7%

18%

11%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Anynega7ve

Disrespecpul

Divisive

Adversarial

Moneyasaweapon

Lackingtransparency

Miserly

Disorganized

Uncomfortable

Delegated

SimilarCulture

Theuseofnega7vetermswasverysimilarbetweendescribingthechurch’scultureindiscussingfinancesingeneralanddiscussingthepastor’scompensa7on.

33

33%

1%

2%

2%

2%

4%

5%

7%

18%

11%

36%

1%

3%

3%

3%

4%

5%

7%

14%

17%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Anynega7ve

Disrespecpul

Divisive

Adversarial

Moneyasaweapon

Lackingtransparency

Miserly

Disorganized

Uncomfortable

Delegated

ChurchFinances PastorCompensa7on

Nega7veCompensa7onCulture

Thepropor7onwhousedatleastonenega7vedescrip7onwasmuchhigheramongpastorsunderage60,inchurchesthatwereonshakygroundfinancially,andespeciallyamongpastorswhowerenothappywiththeircompensa7onpackage.


45%

25%

39%

30%

26%

35%

39%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Unsa7sfiedwith$

Sa7sfiedwith$

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

Rela7onships

Veryposi7ve,82%

Somewhatposi7ve,16%

Nega7ve,2%

Only2%ofpastorsreportedaveryorsomewhatnega7verela7onshipwiththepeopleinthechurchwhodeterminethepastor’scompensa7on,and82%calledtherela7onshipveryposi7ve.

35Q13. What is your relationship with the people in your church who determine your financial compensation?

Rela7onshipsEvenamongpastorswhoweredissa7sfiedwiththeircompensa7onorwhowereleadingachurchwithshakyfinances,aclearmajorityreportedposi7verela7onshipswiththepeoplewhodeterminetheircompensa7on.

36Q13. What is your relationship with the people in your church who determine your financial compensation?

72%

89%

75%

86%

90%

85%

81%

77%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Unsa7sfiedwith$

Sa7sfiedwith$

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

StatusoftheHouseholdFinances

37

HouseholdFinancialSitua7on

Pastorsdescribedtheirownhousehold’sfinancialsitua7onverysimilarlytohowtheysawtheirchurch’sfinancialsitua7on.

38Q6/16. How would you describe your church’s/own household’s current financial situation?

3%

7%

21%

48%

22%

1%

5%

17%

49%

29%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%100%

Veryshaky,significantconcerns

Mostlyshaky,manyconcerns

Somewhatsolid,concerns

Mostlysolid,fewconcerns

Verysolid,noconcerns

Household Church

HouseholdFinancialSitua7onFeelingshakyabouthouseholdfinanceswasmorecommonamongpastorsunderage60,andwasstronglycorrelatedwiththepresenceofhouseholddebtandbeinginachurchthathasshakyfinances.

39Q16. How would you describe your own household’s current financial situation?

51%

21%

14%

35%

41%

26%

20%

40%

52%

48%

49%

45%

50%

51%

8%

20%

26%

13%

11%

19%

21%

2%

7%

12%

3%

3%

6%

8%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Nodebt

Havedebt

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

VerySolid Solid SomewhatSolid Mostly/VeryShaky

ComparisonswithOtherPastorsOnlyone-thirdofpastorsfelttheirfinancialsitua7onisfairlytypical.AlmosthalfsaidtheyarebeBeroffthanotherpastors.Obviously,manyofthemsimplycannotberight–somepastorsappeartohaveop7mismthatisunwarranted.

40Q17. When you think about your household’s financial situation, how do you think your situation compares to other pastors in similar-sized churches in your area?

11%

2%

9%

33%

28%

17%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Noclue

Muchworse

Somewhatworse

I'mfairlytypical

SomewhatbeBer

Mysitua7onismuchbeBer

ComparisonswithOtherPastorsEvenamongpastorscarryingdebt,inshakyfinancialsitua7ons,andwithhighfinancialstress,manyrefusedtobelievethey’reinaworse-than-typicalfinancialsitua7on.

41Q17. When you think about your household’s financial situation, how do you think your situation compares to other pastors in similar-sized churches in your area?

23%

5%

27%

14%

2%

22%

17%

33%

18%

30%

28%

15%

32%

28%

28%

44%

26%

35%

44%

29%

33%

5%

23%

6%

13%

28%

6%

11%

11%

10%

12%

11%

11%

11%

11%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Low$stress

High$stress

Nodebt

Havedebt

Shaky$

Solid$

All

MySitua7onIsMuchBeBer SomewhatBeBerI'mTypical MySitua7onIsWorseNoClue

LackofSavingsVeryfewpastorscouldcoveranunexpected$10,000expenseandbefine.Underfouroutoftencouldcoverthisatalloutofpersonalsavings.Twooutoftenhadnoop7ons–notevendebt–forcoveringthistypeofexpense.

42Q26. If your household suddenly faced an unexpected expense – say $10,000 – how would you most likely handle that expense?

19%

32%

11%

22%

16%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Nowaytocoverit

Debt/creditcards

Borrowagainstre7rement

Coverit,butbigimpactonsavings

Coveritandbefine

For context, a recent Federal Reserve survey showed 47% of Americans could not cover an

emergency expense of just $400 without borrowing money or

selling something. (2014 Survey of Household Economics and

Decisionmaking)

LackofSavingsTheyoungestpastorsandpastorsinthesmallestchurchesweretheonesleastlikelytohaveanyop7onsforcoveringanunexpected$10,000expense.

43Q26. If your household suddenly faced an unexpected expense – say $10,000 – how would you most likely handle that expense?

59%

41%

33%

29%

53%

35%

27%

38%

13%

11%

9%

11%

12%

12%

7%

11%

23%

35%

35%

29%

22%

36%

38%

32%

5%

13%

23%

31%

13%

19%

28%

19%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All

Savings Re7rement Debt NoOp7ons

Compensa5onPackages

44

Sa7sfac7onwithCompensa7on

Completelysa7sfied,19%

Mostlysa7sfied,42%

Onlysomewhatsa7sfied,26%

Mostlydissa7sfied,10%

Completelydissa7sfied,5%

Only19%ofallpastorswerecompletelysa7sfiedwiththeircompensa7on,althoughanother42%weremostlysa7sfied.Fi\eenpercentexpresseddissa7sfac7on.

45Q28. When you take everything into consideration – your experience and education, the type and amount of work you do, your church’s situation, etc. – how do you feel about your financial compensation package?

Sa7sfac7onwithCompensa7onSa7sfac7onwasclearlylowestamongpastorsunderage60,thoseinsmallerchurches,andthosewhowerenotfull-7mepaidstaff.

46Q28. When you take everything into consideration – your experience and education, the type and amount of work you do, your church’s situation, etc. – how do you feel about your financial compensation package?

11%

21%

37%

21%

13%

12%

22%

19%

15%

19%

30%

45%

49%

48%

39%

33%

45%

41%

41%

42%

30%

25%

11%

23%

32%

31%

23%

27%

27%

26%

30%

9%

3%

8%

17%

26%

10%

14%

18%

14%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

NotFTpaid

Full-7mepaid

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All

Completely Mostly Somewhat Dissa7sfied

CouldChurchesDoBeBer?

Couldaffordmuchmore,2%

CouldaffordaliBlemore,15%

Couldaffordmore;Idon'twant,19%*

Can'taffordmore,63%

*In the in-depth interviews conducted prior to this

study, a few pastors said they refused raises

because they wanted to make sure their church was financially healthy

and had greater stability.

Althoughmostpastorswerenotfullysa7sfiedwiththeircompensa7on,only17%felttheirchurchcouldaffordbeBercompensa7on(althoughanother19%saidtheirchurchcouldaffordmorebuttheydon’twantmore).

47Q29. Which of the following is most true of your situation?

CouldChurchesDoBeBer?Thelargerthechurch,themorelikelypastorsweretosaytheirchurchcouldpaythemmore(butalsotosaytheydidn’twantit).Mostwhoweren’tfull-7mestaffrealizedtheirchurchcan’taffordmorethanwhatit’sdoing.

48Q29. Which of the following is most true of your situation?

13%

19%

11%

21%

21%

20%

20%

12%

18%

10%

22%

4%

26%

40%

25%

12%

9%

19%

76%

59%

85%

54%

38%

55%

69%

80%

63%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

NotFTpaid

Full-7mepaid

Church$

Church$solid

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

All

ChurchCouldAffordMore CouldAffordMore;IDon'tWant DoingAllTheyCan

Addi7onalBenefitsAlmostallpastorsgotbenefitsofsometype,withthemostcommonbeingahousingallowance.Onlyaboutfouroutoftengothealthinsuranceand/orare7rementplan,match,orpension.Almostallbenefitswerefarlesscommoninsmallerchurches.

49Q30. Which of the following do you receive from your church as part of your total compensation and benefits package?

7%

11%

16%

16%

22%

23%

23%

28%

34%

38%

41%

43%

70%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Noneofthese

Other

Visionforfamily

Visionforself

Dentalforfamily

Dentalforself

Car(orallowance)

Parsonage

Con7nuingeduca7on

Pension/re7rement

Healthinsurancefor

Healthinsuranceforself

Housingallowance

Salaries/HousingforFull-7mePaidStaff

Theaveragecombinedsalaryandhousingallowanceforafull-7mepaidseniorpastorwas$52,266,withamedianof$49,500.

50Q31. In 2014, what was your salary from your church/the value of your ministerial housing allowance as reported to the IRS?

5%3%5%9%13%15%18%

15%10%

4%3%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$100,000ormore

$90-99k

$80-89k

$70-79k

$60-69k

$50-59k

$40-49k

$30-39k

$20-29k

$10-19k

Under$10,000

Salaries/HousingforNon-full-7meStaff

Morethanaquarterofallnon-full-7mepastorsweremakingunder$5,000incombinedsalaryandhousingallowancefromtheirchurch.Theaveragewas$16,330,withamedianofjust$14,400.

51Q31. In 2014, what was your salary from your church/the value of your ministerial housing allowance as reported to the IRS?

7%

10%

21%

12%

12%

11%

28%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$40,000ormore

$30-39k

$20-29k

$15-19k

$10-14k

$5-9k

Under$5,000

OtherBenefitsforFull-7mePaidStaff

Sevenoutoftenfull-7mepastorsgotsometypeofcompensa7onbeyondhousingand/orsalary.Theaveragevaluewas$9,861,withamedianof$7,500.

52Difference between Q32 and Q31 (total compensation and salary/housing).

2%

4%

12%

28%

27%

29%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$40,000ormore

$30-39k

$20-29k

$10-19k

Under$10,000

None

OtherBenefitsforNon-full-7meStaff

Amongpastorswhodidn’thaveafull-7mepaidposi7on,two-thirdsreceivednobenefitsbeyondsalaryand/orhousing(iftheyreceivedthose).Theaveragevalueofallotherbenefitswas$2,035.

53Difference between Q32 and Q31 (total compensation and salary/housing).

2%

1%

4%

8%

18%

67%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$20,000ormore

$15-19k

$10-14k

$5-9k

Under$5,000

None

TotalPackageforFull-7mePaidStaff

Theaveragetotalcompensa7onforafull-7mepaidseniorpastorwas$62,145,withamedianof$59,000.Twelvepercentweremakingunder$30,000intotalcompensa7on,evenasafull-7mejob.

54Q32. In 2014, what was your total compensation from your church, including all benefits you received (housing allowance, parsonage, medical coverage, pension – everything)?

11%6%9%12%12%15%

13%11%

7%3%2%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$100,000ormore

$90-99k

$80-89k

$70-79k

$60-69k

$50-59k

$40-49k

$30-39k

$20-29k

$10-19k

Under$10,000

TotalPackageforNon-full-7meStaff

Theaveragetotalcompensa7onsforpastorswhowerenotfull-7mepaidstaffwas$18,277,withamedianof$15,600.Fi\eenpercentreceivednotapennyofanytypeofcompensa7on.

55Q32. In 2014, what was your total compensation from your church, including all benefits you received (housing allowance, parsonage, medical coverage, pension – everything)?

4%

6%

11%

21%

25%

34%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$50,000ormore

$40-49k

$30-39k

$20-29k

$10-19k

Under$10,000

OtherIncomeSourcesNineoutoftenpastors(bothfull-7meandpart-7me)hadincomefromothersources,especiallyaspouse’sjob.

56Q33. What other sources of income or savings does your household have, if any?

10%

10%

5%

12%

20%

21%

31%

63%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Noneofthese

Other

Governmentprogram

Familyhelp

Investments

Socialsecurity/pension

Secondjob

Spouse'sjob

OtherIncomeSourcesThreeoutoffourwhoweren’tfull-7mepaidstaffheldasecondjob.Otherincomesourcesdidn’tvarymuchbyfull-7meorothertypesofpastorjobs.

57Q33. What other sources of income or savings does your household have, if any?

2%

9%

6%

11%

17%

20%

73%

61%

13%

10%

4%

13%

21%

24%

16%

64%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Noneofthese

Other

Governmentprogram

Familyhelp

Investments

Socialsecurity/pension

Secondjob

Spouse'sjob

Full-7me Part-7me

TotalHouseholdIncome

Fortheaveragepastor,63%ofallhouseholdincomecamefromtheirchurchinsomemanner.Just21%offull-7mepastorsand2%ofallotherssaidalloftheirincomecomesfromtheirchurch.Theaverageprojectedtotalannualhouseholdincomewas$81,041.

58Q34. Approximately what proportion of your household’s total income in 2014 came from your church, and what proportion from all other non-church sources?

2%

3%

11%

13%

33%

22%

16%

21%

34%

21%

16%

6%

1%

1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Allofit

80-99%

60-79%

40-59%

20-39%

1-19%

Noneofit

Full-7me Part-7me

TotalHouseholdIncomeFortheaveragepastor’shousehold,63%ofhouseholdincomecamefromthechurchinsomeform,while37%camefromallothersources.

59Q34. Approximately what proportion of your household’s total income in 2014 came from your church, and what proportion from all other non-church sources?

28%

75%

85%

76%

61%

38%

63%

72%

25%

15%

24%

39%

62%

37%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

NotFTpaid

Full-7mepaid

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

All

Church AllOtherSources

Savings

60

Re7rementSavingsOneoutoffivepastorshadnothingatallsavedforre7rement.Theaverageamountsavedwas$98,287,butthiswasskewedbyafewwhohadhugeamountssaved;morerealis7cwasthemedian,whichwas$30,000.

61Q35. Approximately how much do you have saved for retirement (including any IRAs, 403(b)s, 401(k)s, pension funds, or other retirement savings)?

15%

13%

14%

25%

12%

21%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$200,000ormore

$100-199k

$50-99k

$10-49k

Under$10,000

Nothing

MedianRe7rementSavings

$100,000$45,000

$20,000$12,000$15,000

$40,000$1,200

$35,000$60,000

$40,000$10,000

$30,000

$0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

NotFTpaid

Full-7mepaid

Non-White

White

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All

Non-Caucasianpastorstypicallyhadalmostnothingsavedforre7rement.Savingswerepar7cularlylowamongnon-full-7mepastors,youngpeople,andthoseinsmallchurches.Mostworryingwasthattheoldestpastorshadamedianof$60,000saved.


MedianRe7rementSavings

$45,000

$14,000

$81,000

$20,000

$15,000

$50,000

$9,000

$40,000

$17,000

$40,000

$30,000

$0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000

Low$stress

High$stress

Nodebt

Havedebt

Notsa7sfied

Sa7sfiedw/$

Personal$shaky

Personal$solid

Church$shaky

Church$solid

All

Eventhosewhosaidtheirpersonalfinancesaresolidhadonlyamedianof$40,000savedforre7rement.Oneofthegreatestdifferencesintheamountsavedwasthepresenceorlackofdebt.


SocialSecurityEightoutoftenrespondentswerecontribu7ngtoSocialSecurity,withnorealdifferencebyage.Thegroupmostlikelytohaveoptedoutwaspastorsinthelargerchurches.

64Q36. Do you contribute to Social Security, or have you opted out?

70%

80%

83%

86%

81%

30%

20%

17%

14%

19%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

All

Contribute OptedOut

PersonalSavingsThreeoutoftenpastorshadnopersonalsavingsatall.Theaverageamountsavedwas$29,696,butthiswasskewedbyafewwhohadsubstan7alsavings;morerepresenta7vewasthemedian,whichwas$3,800.

65Q37. Approximately how much do you have saved outside of retirement (including any emergency funds, investments, stocks, mutual funds, or other savings, but not the value of your home)?

12%

12%

24%

22%

29%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$50,000ormore

$20-49k

$5-19k

Under$5,000

Nothing

MedianPersonalSavings

$15,000$5,000

$2,500$1,000$1,000

$5,000$0

$5,000$10,000

$3,000$2,000

$3,800

$0 $2,000 $4,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,000 $12,000 $14,000 $16,000 $18,000 $20,000

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

NotFTpaid

Full-7mepaid

Non-White

White

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All

Overhalfofallnon-Caucasianpastorshadnosavings.Savingswerepar7cularlylowamongnon-full-7mepastors,youngpeople,andthoseinsmallchurches.Eventhoseinthelargestchurcheshadamedianofonly$15,000innon-re7rementsavings.


MedianPersonalSavings

$6,500

$400

$17,000

$2,000

$1,000

$6,000

$0

$6,000

$1,200

$5,000

$3,800

$0 $2,000 $4,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,000$12,000$14,000$16,000$18,000$20,000

Low$stress

High$stress

Nodebt

Havedebt

Notsa7sfied

Sa7sfiedw/$

Personal$shaky

Personal$solid

Church$shaky

Church$solid

All

Aswithre7rementsavings,thegreatestpredictoroflackofpersonalsavingswaspresenceofdebt.Evenamongpastorswhosaidtheirhouseholdfinancesweresolid,themedianamountofnon-re7rementsavingswasonly$6,000


Debt

68

StudentLoanDebtSevenoutoftenpastorshadnostudentloandebt.Amongthosewhohadany,theaverageamountwas$36,039,andthemedianwas$25,374.

69Q38a. Approximately how much student loan debt does your household carry?

8%

11%

10%

3%

69%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$50,000ormore

$20-49k

$5-19k

Under$5,000

Nothing

StudentLoanDebtNotsurprisingly,youngerpastorswerefarmorelikelytohavestudentloandebt,aswerepastorswithshakypersonalfinancesand/oralotoffinancialstress.Thisdebtisn’tallseminarydebt,aspastorswithnoseminarydegreeo\enhaddebt.

70Q38a. Approximately how much student loan debt does your household carry?

25%

45%

49%

26%

27%

33%

13%

31%

52%

31%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Low$stress

High$stress

Personal$shaky

Personal$solid

Nograddegree

Graddegree

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All

MedicalDebtThreeoutoffourpastorshadnomedicaldebt.Amongthosewhohadany,theaverageamountwas$7,253,andthemedianwas$4,180.

71Q38b. Approximately how much medical debt does your household carry?

2%

8%

14%

77%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$20,000ormore

$5-19k

Under$5,000

Nothing

MedicalDebtAlthoughmedicalexpenseso\enincreasewithage,olderpastorsweretheleastlikelytohavemedicaldebt.Amongthosewithhighfinancialstressand/orshakypersonalfinances,40%werecarryingmedicaldebt.

72Q38b. Approximately how much medical debt does your household carry?

16%

40%

40%

18%

16%

26%

25%

23%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Low$stress

High$stress

Personal$shaky

Personal$solid

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All

OtherNon-mortgageLoanDebtTwo-thirdsofpastorscarriedsomeothertypeofdebt.Amongthosewhodid,theaverageamountwas$30,261,andthemedianwas$17,319.

73Q38c. Approximately how much other non-mortgage debt does your household carry?

9%

21%

27%

11%

33%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$50,000ormore

$20-49k

$5-19k

Under$5,000

Nothing

OtherNon-mortgageDebtEvenamongpeoplewithlowfinancialstressandsolidpersonalfinances,thevastmajoritywerecarryingsomeothertypeofdebt.

74Q38c. Approximately how much other non-mortgage debt does your household carry?

60%

82%

83%

62%

60%

69%

71%

67%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Low$stress

High$stress

Personal$shaky

Personal$solid

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All

TotalDebtJustoneoutoffourpastorscarriednodebtatall(excludinganymortgagedebt).Ontheotherhand,oneoutoffivewasindebttothetuneof$50,000ormore.Theaverageamongallpastorswas$31,593,withamedianof$14,000.

75Q38. Compilation

19%

25%

22%

9%

26%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

$50,000ormore

$20-49k

$5-19k

Under$5,000

Nothing

TotalDebtThevastmajorityofalltypesofpastorswerecarryingsometypeofnon-mortgagedebt,withthosewhohadshakyfinancesand/orhighstresspar7cularlylikelytobeindebt.

76Q38. Compilation

67%

90%

89%

70%

82%

73%

64%

76%

83%

74%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Low$stress

High$stress

Personal$shaky

Personal$solid

Other

White

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All

FinancialStress

77

FinancialStressNineoutoftenpastorsfeltatleastaliBlefinancialstress,butonly13%saidthestressisconsiderableortremendous.

78Q18. How much stress, worry, or concern does your household’s financial situation cause you?

10%

25%

34%

18%

10%

3%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Noneatall

Notverymuch

Onlysomestress

Quiteabit

Considerablestress

Tremendousstress

FinancialStressYoungerpastorstendedtofeelmorefinancialstress,andit’snosurprisethatcarryingdebtand/orhavingshakypersonalfinancessubstan7allyincreasedthepresenceoffinancialstress.

79Q18. How much stress, worry, or concern does your household’s financial situation cause you?

6%

16%

40%

5%

7%

15%

18%

7%

21%

36%

12%

14%

19%

20%

66%

57%

23%

70%

64%

58%

57%

22%

5%

0%

12%

15%

9%

5%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Nodebt

Havedebt

Shaky$

Solid$

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

Tremendous/Considerable QuiteaBitSome/NotMuch None

TheBiggestStressFactorsByfarthefourbiggestfinancialstressorsweresaving:forre7rementespecially,butalsoforemergencies,bigpurchases,andcollege.

80Q19. What issues cause you financial stress, worry, or concern?

34%

42%

43%

64%

20%

41%

41%

28%

45%

17%

17%

8%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Collegeformykids

Savingforbigpurchases

Emergencysavings

Re7rementsavings

MajorIssue MinorIssue NotReallyanIssue

SignificantStressFactorsAvarietyofotherfactorswerestressingoutalotofpastors,frommedicalbillstostudentloanstoanuncertainfutureattheircurrentchurch.


21%

22%

22%

23%

23%

24%

27%

27%

28%

40%

31%

27%

26%

27%

11%

32%

20%

32%

39%

48%

52%

51%

50%

65%

41%

53%

41%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

No$forluxuries

Justmakingendsmeet

Housingcosts

Uncertainchurchfuture

Costlyloca7on

Payingoffstudentloans

Insufficientcompensa7on

Medicalinsurance

Medicalbills


LesserStressFactorsFourfactorscausedlessstressthantheothers,buttheys7llcausedatleastminorstressforoneoutofeverytwotofourpastors.Inaddi7on,22%men7onedsomefactorotherthantheoneslistedintheques7onnaire.


14%

15%

17%

17%

18%

16%

9%

5%

26%

27%

69%

76%

78%

58%

55%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Elderlyparents

Paycheckvaries

Anyother

Payingoffcarloan

Helpingadultkids


LeavingtheMinistry

Agreestrongly,14%

Agreesomewhat,22%

Disagreesomewhat,

16%

Disagreestrongly,48%

Overathirdofallpastorshaveconsideredleavingtheministrybecauseoffinancialstressordifficul7es;only48%stronglydisagreedwiththisstatement.

83Q27a. Agree/disagree: “There have been times I have considered leaving the ministry because of financial stress or difficulties.”

LeavingtheMinistryYoungerpastorsarebyfartheonesmostlikelytohaveconsideredleavingtheministry.Eveninchurchesorhouseholdswherethefinancesweredescribedassolid,threeoutoftenhaveconsideredleavingforfinancialreasons.

84Q27a. Agree/disagree: “There have been times I have considered leaving the ministry because of financial stress or difficulties.”

27%

10%

24%

10%

9%

14%

21%

14%

29%

20%

25%

20%

17%

24%

23%

22%

18%

16%

15%

17%

14%

18%

15%

16%

26%

55%

36%

54%

61%

44%

41%

48%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Personal$shaky

Personal$solid

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All

AgreeStrongly AgreeSomewhat DisagreeSomewhat DisagreeStrongly

LeavingTheirChurch

Agreestrongly,13%

Agreesomewhat,

20%

Disagreesomewhat,

16%


One-thirdofallpastorshaveconsideredleavingtheircurrentposi7onbecauseoffinancialstressordifficul7es;only51%stronglydisagreedwiththisstatement.

85Q27b. Agree/disagree: “There have been times I have considered leaving my current pastorate because of financial stress or difficulties.”

LeavingTheirChurchPastorsunderage60arebyfartheonesmostlikelytohaveconsideredleavingtheirchurch.Eveninchurchesorhouseholdswherethefinancesweredescribedassolid,oneoutoffourhasconsideredleavingforfinancialreasons.

86Q27b. Agree/disagree: “There have been times I have considered leaving my current pastorate because of financial stress or difficulties.”

29%

8%

26%

8%

8%

14%

18%

13%

25%

18%

25%

17%

16%

21%

21%

20%

17%

16%

15%

17%

14%

19%

15%

16%

29%

58%

35%

58%

63%

47%

46%

51%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Personal$shaky

Personal$solid

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All


KnowingThoseWho’veLe\

Agreestrongly,38%

Agreesomewhat,38%

Disagreesomewhat,14%


Mostpastorsknewsomeonewhohadle\theministrybecauseoffinancialdifficul7es(maybethiswasonereasonsomanyconsideredthemselvesbeBeroffthanthetypicalpastor).

87Q27c. Agree/disagree: “I know other pastors who have left the ministry because of financial stress or difficulties.”

KnowingThoseWho’veLe\Knowingsomeonewhohadle\theministrywasfairlyuniversal,withoutmajordifferencesbyfinancialstatus,churchsize,age,orotherfactors.

88Q27c. Agree/disagree: “I know other pastors who have left the ministry because of financial stress or difficulties.”

43%

37%

41%

37%

35%

38%

43%

38%

38%

39%

36%

39%

42%

38%

35%

38%

12%

14%

14%

14%

10%

15%

14%

14%

7%

11%

9%

10%

13%

9%

8%

10%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Personal$shaky

Personal$solid

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All


Opportuni7estoLeave

Agreestrongly,23%

Agreesomewhat,20%

Disagreesomewhat,17%


Fouroutoftenpastorsreportedhavingopportuni7esoroffersforanotherjobthatwouldhaveofferedbeBercompensa7on.

89Q27d. Agree/disagree: “I have had offers or opportunities to leave the ministry and take another job that would have offered better financial compensation.”

Opportuni7estoLeaveYoungerpastorsandthosewithlowercompensa7onlevelswerethemostlikelytosaytheyhavehadopportuni7estoleavetheministryforbeBer-payingjobs.

90Q27d. Agree/disagree: “I have had offers or opportunities to leave the ministry and take another job that would have offered better financial compensation.”

15%

23%

28%

17%

23%

29%

23%

16%

22%

21%

20%

21%

18%

20%

19%

18%

13%

16%

18%

17%

17%

49%

37%

38%

48%

39%

36%

41%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Comp$70k+

Comp$30-69k

Comp<$30k

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All


ConfidenceintheFuture

Strongconfidence,

18%

Confidence,41%Onlysome,31%

VeryliBle,9%

None,2%

Only18%ofallpastorshavestrongconfidencethatthey’llbeokayfinanciallytenyearsfromnow,althoughanother41%didhaveconfidence.Ontheotherhand,only11%hadveryliBleornoconfidenceintheirfinancialfuture.

91Q24. If you think about your household financial situation ten years from now, what level of confidence do you have that things will be okay financially for you?

ConfidenceintheFuturePastorsinthelargestchurcheshadmoreconfidenceintheirfinancialfuture,butincategoriesbelow300people,thesizeofthechurchisdidn’tmakeadifference.

92Q24. If you think about your household financial situation ten years from now, what level of confidence do you have that things will be okay financially for you?

12%

20%

26%

16%

15%

18%

18%

33%

44%

50%

41%

40%

36%

41%

36%

29%

20%

33%

34%

30%

31%

20%

7%

5%

9%

11%

16%

11%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Church$shaky

Church$solid

Size300+

Size100-299

Size50-99

Size<50

All

StrongConfidence Confidence OnlySome LiBle/None

SourcesofHelp

93

FinancialTraining

Only43%ofpastorshavehadformalfinancialtraining(classesincollegeorseminary).Evenamongthosewithaseminary/graduatedegree,just19%saidtheyhadfinancialclassesinseminary.Mostareself-taughtthroughbooks,seminars,orprofessionals.

94Q21. Which of the following types of training have you personally had in the area of financial matters?

7%

2%

14%

28%

38%

42%

63%

69%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Noneofthese

Businessexperience

Seminaryclasses

Secularseminars

Collegeclasses

Financialpros

Chris7anseminars

Readbooks

ConfidinginOthersOverathirdofpastorssaidtheyhavenooneoutsidetheirhouseholdinwhomtheycanconfideaboutthethingsthatstressthemfinancially(althoughnotallofthemwantedtohavesomeone).

95Q20. Who outside of your immediate household do you talk to or confide in about the things that stress or concern you financially?

5%

8%

12%

15%

16%

18%

20%

31%

37%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Churchstaff

Denom.leader

Otherlocalpastor

Layleader

Friend

Financialpro

Otherdenom.pastor

Familymember

Noone

ConfidinginOthersThepastorsmostlikelytosaytheyhavenoonebutwouldvaluehavingaconfidantwereunderage60.Almostfouroutoftenwithshakypersonalfinancesandhigherlevelsofstresshavenoonetotalktobutwouldvaluehavingsomeone.

96Q20. Who outside of your immediate household do you talk to or confide in about the things that stress or concern you financially?

38%

14%

39%

16%

17%

25%

22%

22%

7%

20%

7%

18%

24%

15%

8%

16%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Low$stress

High$stress

Personal$shaky

Personal$solid

Age60+

Age45-59

Age<45

All

WantSomeone Don'tWantSomeone

SpousalAgreementFortunately,mostmarriedpastorssaidtheyandtheirspousetendtobeinagreementonmanagingtheirhouseholdfinances,withonly2%repor7ngsubstan7aldisagreementwiththeirspouseonthissubject.

97Q25. To what extent are you and your spouse in agreement when it comes to managing your household’s personal finances (spending, saving, debt management, etc.)?

0%

2%

5%

41%

52%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Almosttotaldisagreement

Disagreequiteabit

Onlysomewhatinagreement

Largelyinagreement

Almosttotalagreement

Denomina7onalResourcesManypastorshadnoideawhattheirdenomina7onoffersinfinancialresources,especiallyfortheirpersonalsitua7on.Lackofawarenessdidnotvaryaccordingtochurchorpersonalfinancialsitua7on,leveloffinancialstress,orpresenceofdebt.

98

17%

8%

26%

40%

9%

37%

12%

23%

24%

5%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

I'mnotsure

None

Veryfew

Some

ManyResources

PersonalFinances ChurchFinances

Q9/22. What does your denomination offer in terms of help, resources, training, or advice on financial matters for your church/for pastors regarding their own personal/household financial issues?

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