Many Pastors Lack a Will, Survey Finds

A new survey conducted by LifeWay Research for the Southern Baptist Foundation found more than half of Southern Baptist pastors do not have have a will or any sufficient form of estate planning, including durable power of attorney with health care directives. Pastors are well aware that they cannot take their assets when they die, and 74% surveyed believe that estate planning should be considered a part of a person’s complete financial stewardship, but yet many still put off these important conversations and documents.

Scott McConnell, director of LifeWay Research, said the survey reveals a lack of awareness about estate planning and accompanying laws which may contribute to pastors not having a plan in place. 48% of pastors agree with a statement that if someone dies without a will, their family decides what is done with the assets of the deceased while 33% disagree and 19% “don’t know.” In truth, the court will decide what will happen to not only assets but also minor children (if both parents are deceased) if there is no will or estate plan in place.

“Your will is your opportunity to articulate your wishes, your values and your legacy,” said Warren Peek, president of the Southern Baptist Foundation.

See Leigh Ann Bowick, Young or Old, Many Pastors Lack a Will, Survey Finds, Baptist Press, August 31, 2018.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.) for bringing this article to my attention.