Results from The Great Leaders' Survey

We designed the survey because we wanted to discover more about the challenges couples in leadership face and to discover what needs they might have for their own help and support. The survey was sent to Christians who are married and involved in leadership and we had 239 replies across a range of denominations.

Here is a summary of some of the data:

1. 80% lead together with their spouse (either paid or voluntarily) and whilst 97% enjoy doing so, 40% say it puts a strain on them.

For those in church leadership:

1. • 43% said they didn’t have enough time for their spouse.
2. • 20% were lonely in their marriage.
3. • 52% didn’t have enough quiet time with God.
4. • 35% admitted to having issues in their marriage that they wouldn’t want those that they lead to know about.
5. • 34% argue in ways they are not proud of.

And when it comes to getting help, 60% of those involved in chuch leadership don’t have anyone to talk to together when they have issues.

There were other stats that we will draw on in the coming weeks but from this snapshot what seems evident is that couples in leadership certainly need 1) our prayers, 2) our encouragement to take more time for their marriage and for their relationship with God, and 3) our support when they are struggling with issues.

If you are in leadership, here are a few questions to contemplate:

• If you feel that you are not giving enough time to your marriage, how can you change this for 2021? Who (or what) will it mean saying “no” to?


• If you feel that you are not giving enough time to your relationship with God, how can you change this for 2021? Who (or what) will it mean saying “no” to?


• If you (or your spouse) feel that you are struggling in your marriage, who can you talk to? Similarly, if you (or your spouse) feel that things are going well, who can you check in with to celebrate this and to prevent problems from overwhelming you in the future? What could you do to make sure that you have this support in place?