Fewer Pastors Considering Quitting Ministry, Research Shows

Church,

Pastoral burnout in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic caused many to consider quitting ministry, but recent research shows that may be changing.

According to Barna’s latest data, 24% of Protestant senior pastors say they have seriously considered quitting full-time ministry in the past year. While that number is still concerning, it’s down considerably from peak levels a few years ago, when two out of every five pastors said they had considered quitting.

Barna notes that the pandemic years hit pastors hard. Church closures, public health mandates, changes in ministry models, and political division within congregations created a perfect storm for many ministers. Pastors nationwide often faced exhaustion and conflict with very little support.

The good news is that pressure appears to be easing in many cases. Arkansas’ churches can learn from this data. Believers and their families should pray for their pastors and find practical ways to encourage them. Supporting our pastors isn’t just a nice thing to do—it’s essential for healthy churches.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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As Schools Reopen Nationwide, Home Schooling Remains Popular

Current Events, Home School,

Last week the Associated Press reported that home schooling’s surge has continued nationwide despite COVID-19 generally subsiding in many areas and schools reopening.

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, home schooling has seen an uptick across the country.

Last year the U.S. Census Bureau reported the percentage of households home schooling in Arkansas jumped from 6.8% in spring of 2020 to 10.3% by the following fall.

All told, as many as one in ten families in Arkansas home schooled their children during the 2020-2021 school year.

Private schools in Arkansas also saw an increase in enrollment following the pandemic.

The Associated Press reports,

Two years later, even after schools reopened and vaccines became widely available, many parents have chosen to continue directing their children’s educations themselves.

Homeschooling numbers this year dipped from last year’s all-time high, but are still significantly above pre-pandemic levels, according to data obtained and analyzed by The Associated Press.

Families that may have turned to homeschooling as an alternative to hastily assembled remote learning plans have stuck with it — reasons include health concerns, disagreement with school policies and a desire to keep what has worked for their children.

These numbers seem to underscore that parents are taking a strong interest in their children’s education — and that’s a good thing.

Research shows parental involvement generally is tied to better educational outcomes for children. That’s true no matter how families choose to educate their children.

However, home schooling is particularly good for many families, because it lets them choose the education that’s best for them.

For 24 years Family Council’s home school division, the Education Alliance, has supported home schooling in Arkansas, because it gives families the flexibility to provide the education that’s right for their children.

It’s good to see more families taking advantage of this excellent opportunity.

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