What did the global Adventist pastors’ survey reveal?

Abstract

The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists commissioned a Global Adventist Pastors’ Survey (GAPS) to gather information on the experiences and perspectives of our pastors globally. The research team was assisted by translators, division executive secretaries and ministerial secretaries, and many others. Survey responses came in during 2022 and 2023, and by the end of the submission period, 12,380 Adventist pastors caring for one or more Adventist congregations had participated. The participants constitute more than 40 percent of all Adventist pastors currently serving in local churches around the world. The results of the GAPS showed that Adventist pastors who care for local churches share a great many experiences in common despite working in diverse cultures around the world. While most Adventist pastors report that they find real fulfillment in their work, some results from the survey raise matters of concern.