An Identification of Key Factors Leading to the Dissatisfaction Amongst Pastors in Ministry: A Case of the East Central Rwanda Field – Rwanda

Gerard Karasira Nsengiyumva ORCID iD 

Issue: Vol.10 No. 6 June  2024 Issue Article 14 pp.242-250
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.202410614 |   Published online 21st June, 2024.
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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This study aimed to identify the factors that contribute to pastors’ dissatisfaction in the East Central Rwanda Field of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The survey was conducted on 50 pastors from the region using a questionnaire. The gathered data was analyzed using the Chi-square test of independence. The test results revealed that there is a significant association between calls and satisfaction, with a p-value of 0.02829. Moreover, the pastor’s transfer and promotion in ministry were found to greatly affect their satisfaction level. The study discovered that 28% of the respondents were uncomfortable with a transfer, and 26% were shocked when the transfer was repeated every year. Furthermore, 26% of the respondents felt that the transfer was unfair because it occurred without prior consultation with the pastor. The results also revealed that 38% of the respondents believe that promotion brings jealousy while 20% accused the administration of partiality. The study concluded that transfers and promotions are common occurrences in pastoral ministry. However, when they are associated with the wrong motives behind the calling, they can harm the pastor’s life and ministry. Based on the findings, a discipleship approach through mentoring is recommended to help prevent the factors that lead to pastors’ dissatisfaction. This study makes two important contributions. First, it highlights the need for church administration to carefully assess the motives behind an individual’s call during the recruitment process. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of setting up a discipleship approach through continual mentoring to help pastors grow spiritually and successfully perform their duties.

Keywords: Call, Pastoral Ministry, Satisfaction, Transfer, Promotion.

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Gerard Karasira Nsengiyumva is a highly experienced and ordained pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rwanda, with an impressive 30-year record of serving in various capacities. He completed the Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from the prestigious Adventist University of Africa in 2017. His academic pursuits have continued, and he is currently engrossed in pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry from the same esteemed university. His experience ranges from serving in local churches to holding the prestigious position of executive director of the conference, which speaks to his vast knowledge and expertise. Gerard finds immense joy in preaching to congregations of all sizes, and he also has a keen interest in teaching and training pastors and lay people. He has a particular passion for mentoring new and young pastors, which is a testament to his dedication and commitment to the growth and development of the church community. His research interests are centered around the development of effective discipleship strategies and the process of spiritual formation. He is particularly interested in exploring the intersection of theology and practical methodologies, intending to identify best practices for nurturing the spiritual growth of individuals and communities.

Nsengiyumva, Gerard Karasira. “An Identification of Key Factors Leading to the Dissatisfaction Amongst Pastors in Ministry: A Case of the East Central Rwanda Field – Rwanda,” E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies, 10 no.6 (2024): 242-250. https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.202410613

© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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