TRENDS AND ISSUES- GE 105

First Trimester, School Year 2022-2023,

Mondays, 6-9pm, August 1- October 17, 2022
 CONTEXTUAL ISSUES

GLOBAL ISSUES

SOCIAL & PERSONAL ISSUES

PASTORAL ISSUES
 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

1. JOB-RELATED STRESS
-Finances: Managing both church
and personal finances, including
income, debt, savings, and expenses.

Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1

 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

1. JOB-RELATED STRESS
-Relationships: Handling conflicts,
managing church staff, reporting to
the board, counseling and caring for
their flock’s spiritual health, as well as
taking care of their own spouse and
children.
Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

1. JOB-RELATED STRESS
-Time management: Juggling work,
family, emergencies, counseling, and
personal time.

Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1

 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

2. FEELINGS OF LONELINESS & ISOLATION

Leaders often feel alone and
isolated, and pastors are no exception.

Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1

 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

2. FEELINGS OF LONELINESS & ISOLATION

These feelings can be caused by
unattainable pastoral assignments, a
lack of affirmation from church staff,
conflict with church members, or a
general lack of friends and peer
network for support.
Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

3. POLITICAL & CULTURAL DIVISIONS

One of the largest problems in the
church today are political and cultural
differences. Pastors often feel forced to
choose between picking a side or
staying silent, both of which are losing
options.
Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

4. DECLINING CHURCH ATTENDANCE

Many pastors whose churches
survived COVID-19 have found that
their in-person attendance has not
bounced back to pre-pandemic
numbers after reopening their doors.

Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1

 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

5. INEFFECTIVE DISCIPLESHIP MODELS

Discipleship is crucial to each
Christian’s spiritual journey, yet 39% of
Christians are not involved in any form
of discipleship.

Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1

 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

5. INEFFECTIVE DISCIPLESHIP MODELS

Part of the challenge pastors face is
that old discipleship models are not as
effective with their congregations
today. The majority of Christians want
their churches to offer more online
discipleship resources.
Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

6. DISCONNECTED DIGITAL TOOLS

Today’s technology allows pastors
to be more productive and reach more
people than ever before-sharing
content online, live streaming, group
messaging, coordinating small groups
and volunteers, as well as managing
events. Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

7. FINANCIAL & ECONOMIC REALITIES

Churches feel the impact of
economic downturns. People facing
inflation and recession have less to
give to their church, so pastors have to
make tough choices about cutting
salaries, reducing church spending,
and pausing ministry programs.
Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

8. BALANCING ONLINE & IN-PERSON WORSHIP

Studies show that online services
remain popular even after churches
have begun to meet in person again. At
the same time, pastors know that it’s
not always easy to simultaneously run
in-person and online worship services.
Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

9. DISTRACTIONS & DISCOURAGEMENT

Pastors today have more tasks,
communication, and job expectations
to manage than ever before.
This makes distractions and
discouragement two of the most
significant mental challenges in
ministry today. Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
 PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1
TOP 10 CHURCH PROBLEMS FACING PASTORS TODAY

10. DEVELOPING LEADERS & VOLUNTEERS

While these challenges have been
around since the beginning of the
Church, pastors know that strong
leaders and loyal volunteers are
essential to a strong church.

Trends & Issues, Week 9, PASTORAL ISSUES, Part 1