The Credibility Crisis of Today’s Pastors

The good news: Most people don’t dislike pastors. The bad news: They just don’t really care about pastors either.

In Barna’s The State of Pastors report, produced in partnership with Pepperdine University, the reception of pastors was generally lukewarm. One-quarter of all U.S. adults (24%) holds a very positive opinion of pastors in general. Meanwhile, roughly the same proportion reports a negative opinion (28% “somewhat” + “very” negative). Similarly, one-quarter of the population has little regard for the pastoral influence in their city or neighborhood (23% “not very” + “not at all” influential), while one in five adults (19%) goes so far as to call pastors very influential. (Watch the video below to learn more about public perceptions of pastors.)

Yet, two-thirds of adults (66%) feel clergy is of at least some benefit to the public, and when asking people about a pastor with whom they have a personal connection, nearly two-thirds (64%) gives a very positive report. This leaves significant room for pastors to continue to make a positive difference, in spite of the seeming crisis of credibility plaguing their occupation.

So what does resilient leadership look like, even in a resistant climate? In the following video, recorded live at The State of Pastors event at Pepperdine University, Adam Edgerly (lead pastor, Newsong Los Angeles Covenant Church), Rebekah Layton (executive pastor, Cherry Hills Community Church) and Mark DeYmaz (directional leader, Mosaic Church) sit down to discuss how pastors can cultivate a credible influence, serve creatively and transform their communities.