Why Pastors Leave the Ministry

I finished reading an interesting post on the www.thinkchristian.net site about pastors who leave their churches. It follows up on a review of a new book on this topic, "Pastors in Transition: Why clergy leave local church ministry". Fortunately, the article summed up that most pastors go to other ministries. But, what about other reasons? The details are long and too great for me to accurately summarize here. I'll offer a few snippets of the review. Please don't take my word as gospel truth. Take a gander at the article.

Well, the article cited that the data comes from a study sponsored by the Pulpit and Pew Research on the state of pastoral ministry, based at Duke Divinity School. Briefly, the review states that organizational and interpersonal issues have motivated pastors to move on.

Here are a few responses cited by the review. Pastors reported:

"I felt drained by demands."

"I felt lonely and isolated."

"I did not feel supported by denominational officials."

"I felt bored and constrained."

The five denominations studied were church bodies associated with the Assemblies of God, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the American Presbyterian Church, and the United Methodist Church.

I plan to order the book. I'm still at a professional crossroads pondering whether to jump in ministry full time. It's good to know what are the possible problems one might encounter if one does join the ministry.

With my brief time serving as a leader in different functions at my current church, I can understand or should I say I can see a glimpse why people burn out quickly.

When I was a member at another church located in Northern Virginia, both pastors (husband and wife) suddenly retired from the church. They were truly anointed in their calling. Pastor R______ had such a warm personality and worked as a great edifier for the church. His wife was also a great teacher. They were, I guess, in their 50s. They were mature Christians with a strong mature flock. Church membership was declining at an alarming rate for the last 4 or 5 years.

In the last couple years, they hired associate pastors and fired them months later for not helping with the church growth. One associate pastor had a young family and quit his day job to focus on church responsibilities. Obviously, the new pastors served as unfortunate scapegoats. This would bring gossip among the membership as the issues were not addressed to the congregation. There was talk that they would leave the church and retire to Florida with the church money. It was very hard to watch this church, both leaders and members, act in such an unworthy manner. I still keep in touch with some members, and they are doing well in other churches. God takes care of His children. As for the pastors, I heard that they are still living in the area. Some people hope that they will start over again and learn from their mistakes and build up another church.

Some comments posted on thinkchristian.net talk about serious issues happening in the church today and for those who serve in the church. I don't plan to allow this study or my other experiences to dissuade me from serving God. Actually, it has strengthened my resolve and awakened me to know that all men are flawed. No matter our intentions, humans are limited beings.

The book will be used as food for thought and future preparations.

Today's verse: Ephesians 4:10-12 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁰He Who descended is the [very] same as He Who also has ascended high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things (the whole universe, from the lowest to the highest).

¹¹And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.

¹²His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church)