The Complexity of Assessing Ministry-Specific Satisfaction and Stress

Christian ministry work can be gratifying, but it also carries a risk of burnout. Despite research documenting clergy stress and wellness, few questionnaires measure ministry life aspects that contribute to clergy burnout or wellness. To fill this gap, we developed the positive aspects (PAI) and negative aspects (NAI) inventories. These questionnaires measure the intensity and frequency of positive and negative aspects of ministry life. The present research further tests the viability of the PAI and NAI. Confirmatory factor analyses suggest that the PAI is best represented by 17 factors, whereas 12 factors best characterize the NAI. Importantly, correlation patterns between PAI and NAI scores and indices of burnout suggest distinct patterns of burnout. Furthermore, exploratory tests of PAI and NAI scores by gender, ordination status, and years in ministry demonstrated crucial differences. This research advances the understanding of clergy wellness and has implications for assessment and intervention.

Experience of Stress and Burnout among Pastors in China

A quantitative survey was conducted among a convenience sample of 164 church ministers in China to test a model relating experience of stress, clergy burnout, and clergy health. Results indicated that respondents experience relatively low levels of stress and burnout. The burnout score was 2.73 on a seven-point scale. Stress from family was a significant predictor of overall burnout. The experience of emotional exhaustion was a significant predictor of the occurrence of adverse health symptoms.