Research & Evaluation
Financial Stability ● Ministry Management ● Emotional Wellness ● Community Leadership
Our funder required the team to do some research on the economic challenges that pastors face. Highlighted here are some key points from national statistics and thoughts from our members. A brief overview of the evaluation aspect of this program follows.
Did You Know?
National Research
Stressful Personal Finances
Over 1/3 of pastors say they can’t confide in anyone outside of their household about stressful finances
Burden of Ministry
80% of pastors believe ministry has negatively affected their families
Pastors Feel Isolation
65% of pastors report feelings of loneliness and isolation (up from 42% just 7 years ago)
Racial Inequity Among Pastors
Black clergy salaries are 2/3 of White clergy salaries
Lack Long-Term Sustainability
Black clergy are less likely to receive retirement or health benefits; almost 1/2 of Black clergy are bi-vocational
Struggling Finanacially
Pastors at all stages of life report being unable to meet financial emergencies
Church Income Stress
Tithes are the main source of revenue for churches, but only
5 - 25% of the congregation consistently tithe
PAW Member Research
Love But Not Loved Back
Great affection for PAW, but most felt lack of direct support for pastors; financial contributions to PAW overemphasized
Not Enough
Aware of retirement planning, but majority see saving as a luxury
Pandemic Recovery
Pandemic recovery challenging (inflation, declining attendance, technology use)
Racial Impact on Churches
Acknowledgment that systematic racism in country has had direct economic impact on Black clergy, congregations; many financially dependent on country’s most financially at-risk populations
Lack Strategies & Skills
Lack of knowledge, skills related to finances and business operations, but additional economic concerns emerged with a connection to mental health and inability to meet growing basic needs in urban communities
Pressuring Congregations to Give
Beyond raising church offerings there are little to no other fundraising strategies - which means pressuring congregations to give more
Seeking Help
Some do not know what help they need or who to ask and others do not want to ask; some believe asking for help diminishes their faith
Use Our Own Expertise
Advised to leverage expertise of existing membership
Results ● Impact ● Outcomes ● Success ● Goals Met ● Proof
Evaluation
Lead Well, as a program, is required by our funder to be evaluated by a professional evaluator. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine if by the end the program was effective at reaching its goal.
Goal
Participating PAW pastors will strive to master the four socio-economic competencies, regardless of their age, scale, or stage of ministry.
By "competencies" we mean they will be financially stable, managing their ministry effectively, are emotionally well, and are leaders who are helping to meet the economic needs of their communities.
Measuring Impact
Throughout the program and especially at the end, the evaluator will be looking to see if the program strategies worked and what changed with PAW pastors as a result of participating in this program.
?
?
Did the understanding, practices, and behaviors of participating pastors improve? How do we know?
?
Was the program's approach effective? How do we know?
Ex: Do pastors feel a greater sense of support from those around them?
Ex: Do pastors feel a renewed energy around their pastoral calling and the potential of their congregations?
Ex: Did pastors use the intervention benefits and resource hub?
Ex: Do pastors report an improved understanding of financial literacy concepts related to their household and church?
Ex: Did pastors identify and address their sources of stress?
Ex: Did pastors start or strengthen partnerships in the community that helped to increase resources?
Ex: Did pastors establish and/or update documents like church policies, budgets, and transition plans?
Data Collection
Collecting data is the only way to verify the effectiveness of the program, so the collection and analysis of data will be an important effort. Our priority will always be to protect the privacy of participants.
Beyond the Grant
For pastors: we hope to see improved financial wellness for their own families, church members, and surrounding communities
For churches: we hope they're operating efficiently and successfully navigating the challenges of 21st century ministry
For the Lead Well program: we plan to secure future grants to continue to offer programming and supports, including expanding the amount of grants we can give to PAW pastors to provide some debt relief
For the PAW organization: improved systems, use of member talent, and an uplifted overall profile that attracts additional economic resources