James Holloway, Associational Missionary Results of the survey of pastors and staff ministers serving in the Bethel Baptist Association in the Fall of 2013 Survey administered 9/10/13 through 10/31/13 to 37 pastors and staff ministers by James Holloway, Associational Missionary

31 out of 37 surveys were completed and returned (Response rate = 84%) Part I: Demographics 31 out of 37 surveys were completed and returned (Response rate = 84%)

Minister’s Age 11 (35%) 11 (35%) 7 (23%) 2 (6%) Average Age = 52.29

Number of Churches Served 12 (39%) 11 (35%) 8 (26%) Average = 4.5 churches

Experience: Years in Ministry 13 (42%) 7 (23%) 6 (19%) 5 (16%) Average = 19.74 years

Tenure: Years at Current Church 16 (52%) 8 (26%) 6 (19%) 1 (3%) Average = 6.48 years

Present Ministry Position 26 (84%) 5 (16%)

Ministerial Employment Status 17 (55%) 12 (39%) 2 (6%)

Formal Ministry Training 11 (35%) 11 (35%) 6 (19%) 3 (10%)

Part II: Ministry Challenges

How often do you face new (first-time) challenges in ministry? 12 (39%) 10 (32%) 7 (23%) 2 (6%)

How often do you face ministry challenges in which you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or inadequate? 16 (52%) 9 (29%) 5 (16%) 1 (3%)

Other: Parents (1), Research and Resources (2), Christian Friends (2) To whom do you usually turn for counsel when facing a ministry challenge? 5 (16%) 5 (16%) 9 (29%) 18 (58%) 9 (29%) 5 (16%) 19 (61%) Other: Parents (1), Research and Resources (2), Christian Friends (2)

Part III: Relationships with Other Ministers

Describe your current relationships with other ministers. 17 (55%) 8 (26%) 1 (3%) 5 (16%)

NOTE: 0 respondents (0%) answered “Every Week” How often do you get together with other ministers for fellowship and mutual encouragement? 17 (55%) 10 (32%) 4 (13%) NOTE: 0 respondents (0%) answered “Every Week”

Other: Demanding secular job (1), Trust (1), Family Health Issues (1) What prevents you from having the kind of relationships you would like to have with other ministers? 3 (10%) 0 (0%) 6 (19%) 1 (3%) 15 (48%) 9 (29%) 29 (94%) Other: Demanding secular job (1), Trust (1), Family Health Issues (1)

Part IV: Mentoring Experience

NOTE: 0 respondents (0%) chose “Strongly Disagree.” Please respond to the following statement: “It is important to have a mentor.” 14 (45%) 14 (45%) 3 (10%) NOTE: 0 respondents (0%) chose “Strongly Disagree.”

Have you ever been involved in a mentoring relationship? 26 (84%) 3 (10%) 2 (6%)

How many significant mentors have you had in your ministry? 12 (39%) 12 (39%) 6 (19%) 1 (3%) Average = 2.92 mentors

To what degree do you feel mentors have helped your ministry? 15 (48%) 7 (23%) 6 (19%) 3 (10%)

Have you been involved in a mentoring relationship with another minister at any time in the past 24 months? 21 (68%) 10 (32%)

How many other ministers have you mentored since entering the ministry? 16 (52%) 9 (29%) 2 (6%) 4 (13%) Average = 1.55

Significant Correlations (p less than or equal to .05)

Frequency of overwhelming ministry challenges by age Weekly Monthly Once a year Never (r = -0.32453)

Perceived importance of having a mentor by age Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree (r = -0.35852)

Frequency of overwhelming ministry challenges by experience Weekly Monthly Once a year Never (r = -0.45653)

Relationships with other ministers by experience Blessed A few friends Disconnected Isolated (r = 0.33520)

Frequency of encountering first-time ministry challenges by current mentoring involvement Weekly Once a month Once a year Never No Yes (r = 0.45928)

Frequency of fellowship by mentoring involvement Monthly 1-4 times a year Never No Yes (r = 0.32860) NOTE: No respondents answered “Every week.”

Perception of being helped by mentors with current mentoring involvement Essential factor A great deal Somewhat Not at all No Yes (r = 0.41746)