"A while ago I stumbled upon one of those well-known job search web sites. Supposedly it is the largest in the world...matching thousands of employers with employees everyday. I was curious so I plugged in my education, experience, and the name of the mildly prestigious divinity school from which I graduated. Most ministers will understand my elation at clicking the button and reading a report that pointed me to a long, distinguished career at my local Krispy Krème.
When I've talked with colleagues, the feeling that is expressed is not necessarily one of resentment, but of being trapped. Even if they wanted to leave the ministry, what kind of job could they get? Could they make what they're making now? Is it too late to start over?
Try to remember the vigor and vision with which we entered Bible College. I literally would have become a Pastor if they told me I'd never be paid a single penny. I was sold out. But adding a few waist sizes has helped me recognize now what I didn't then: 18 year old kids suffer from what author Warren Bennis calls "Delusional confidence."
We didn't envision the day when we would have a mortgage payment, a car with 182,000 miles on it, and one too many smiles around the dinner table that need braces. Thank God for delusional confidence or we would have bolted to the local university mid-semester of our freshman year.
Nevertheless, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but you'd be surprised how many pulpits would be empty if someone offered ministers a job similar or better in pay than their current assignment."
Written by Brian Jones
http://www.peopleoffaith.com/pastor-burnout.htm
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