Study author Brad Waggoner says the study of nearly 400 small-church pastors revealed their most persistent obstacle “was the issue of time. I mean just repeatedly in one way or another, they would say you know I just I don’t have time to get it all done, and I’m pulled between the church responsibilities and working bi-vocationally and my family…and preparing for sermons…and ministering to the needs of the family."

Time was mentioned by nearly a third of respondents, more than twice as often as other challenges faced by small church pastors.  H.B. London, Vice-president of Church and Clergy for “Focus on the Family,” offers some advice.

“Make the most of the mornings.  You’ve gotta…you gotta do your alone time with God, which means you’ve probably have to get up an hour earlier.  You you gotta’ you’ve gotta’ have your quiet time.  You… you’ve gotta do your sermon preparation and study.  And so what I say to them…’you’ve got to lock yourself away from the world from the time you get up to a time that you determine best.  And then you use your afternoons for ministry and administration."

The second biggest challenge for these pastors is “resistance to change,” followed by “lack of commitment from members.”  Dr. Herb Haws pastors a church near Houston, and says involvement leads to commitment.

“And if you can get people busy, then they are excited and they get to share the great experience of being a Christian, and they’re happy.”

H.B. London says bi-vocational pastors face special challenges.

“You’re a unique human being, and I don’t know if it’ll happen down here, but one day God’s gonna’ have something very special for you."

And, of course, lack of money make the biggest challenge list as well.