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Toronto Star

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Speak Up

TORONTO - Surveys were sent in June 2003 to 1,252 clergy from the United, Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist and Pentecostal churches.

The 338 who responded rated their experience of emotions on a five-point scale: strongly disagree; moderately disagree; agree; moderately agree; strongly agree. The report was released last year.

Among the findings:

- Seventy per cent moderately or strongly disagreed with the statement, "I feel fulfilled in ministry."

- Sixty-seven per cent agreed or agreed strongly with the statement, "I sometimes project my job frustration on the family."

- Sixty-two per cent agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "Sometimes my outward appearance seems happy and content while inside I am emotionally distressed."

- Seventy-five per cent agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "I am afraid to let my parishioners know how I really feel."

- Eighty per cent agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "I feel guilty if people see me taking time off during the week."

- Fifty per cent moderately or strongly disagreed with the statement, "I am consistent between who I am and how I appear to others."

- Eighty-three per cent agreed with the statement, "My church wants a CEO rather than a pastor."

- Ninety-one per cent agreed with the statement, "Being 'minister' is more like a job than a calling."

- Seventy-eight per cent strongly agreed or agreed with the statement, "I feel my position as a minister demands perfection."

Source: Centre for Clergy Care and Congregational Health, Knox College, University of Toronto