1. 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

2. 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%)

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

4. Number of Churches Served12
(39%) 11
(35%) 8
(26%)
Average = 4.5 churches

5. Experience: Years in Ministry13
(42%) 7
(23%) 6
(19%) 5
(16%)
Average = years

6. Tenure: Years at Current Church16
(52%) 8
(26%) 6
(19%) 1
(3%)
Average = 6.48 years

7. Present Ministry Position26
(84%) 5
(16%)

8. Ministerial Employment Status17
(55%) 12
(39%) 2
(6%)

9. Formal Ministry Training11
(35%) 11
(35%) 6
(19%) 3
(10%)

10. Part II: Ministry Challenges

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

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

13. 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)

14. Part III: Relationships with Other Ministers

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

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”

17. 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)

18. Part IV: Mentoring Experience

19. 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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27. Perceived importance of having a mentor by age
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
(r = )

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

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

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

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

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