The confusion of the clergy in the face of this significant cultural shift was also evident. Some called the ordained ministry America’s “most frustrated profession.” Only one-third of pastors in one survey said they felt their efforts in ministry produced spiritual results in the lives of their parishioners. Clergy stress, illness, and burnout were rampant. Taken together, these signs indicated that “old-time religion” was moving swiftly toward a minority status within the culture.
