Qualitative investigation reveals challenges like conflict and vicarious trauma for Baptist pastors, highlighting their need for support.
A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews analyzed with a phenomenological perspective explored the challenges faced by 10 Baptist pastors from a range of geographical and socioeconomic locations throughout Australia about their roles and sources of support. Four main challenges faced by pastors in their roles were: conflict in the church, setting boundaries, vicarious trauma, and living authentically. Three primary sources of support that pastors valued were: mentors, peers, and wives. Possible markers were identified for which churches might be more difficult to pastor, and suggestions given for how denominational support resources might be targeted.
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Smithers et al. (2025) studied this question.
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