A growing number of American pastors are considering walking away from the pulpit, according to a recent survey by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. The survey revealed that church leaders, in large numbers, are rethinking their commitment post-2020. The research states that many pastors have entertained thoughts of leaving their congregations. For example, over 40% report having seriously considered leaving at least once since the pandemic erupted, and over half confirm they’ve questioned whether they should remain in ministry altogether.
A Barna Group survey published April 27, 2022, corroborates these findings. The survey found that the overwhelming stress of ministry work is driving burnout and resignation considerations in pastors. Of the pastors surveyed, over half who contemplated quitting pointed directly to the intense demands of the job. The Barna survey shows 43% struggle with isolation, on top of everything else.
The Barna Group also cites current sociopolitical divisions as another significant factor, along with feelings of not being supported by the staff, not being respected by the congregation, not being equipped to handle the church’s demands, and the negative effect their ministry has on their families.
Difficult dynamics in the church
To explore the challenges faced by American pastors, The Stand spoke to Scott, a veteran minister who has been in church ministry since 1991. He continues serving the local church through pulpit supply and prefers that his actual name not be used. He highlighted some of the most draining relational dynamics pastors must navigate.
“People-related issues can be the most difficult,” he said, “whether that manifests in strained relationships with congregation members or even conflict among the ministerial staff itself.”
Another factor that can exacerbate burnout is unrealistic expectations from the congregation. Scott pointed to the “burden of creating an exciting worship experience” as one particularly weighty expectation.
“Part of that comes with the amount of well-produced media that can lead people to believe that’s the norm for Sunday morning worship,” he said. “It’s a consequence of the entertainment culture we live in and a lack of understanding of what it means to gather on the Lord’s Day. There’s a hunger for an emotional high that a pastor can be expected to deliver.”
Speaking up
When a minister is struggling with the overwhelming demands of the role, how should he communicate that to his flock?
“This can be part of the problem,” Scott said. “A pastor loves the church and knows the enemy can take advantage of expressions that may be misunderstood or miscommunicated, so the pastor is going to be very measured with anything he says.
“The pastor should first confide in a small group of godly men,” he continued, “who can intervene and help him manage the burnout in ways that protect the congregation and support the pastor’s family.”
Bill Bradford, pastor of Lawndale Presbyterian Church in Tupelo, Mississippi, affirmed this need for advocates within the church leadership. He gave an example from his own experience: “One of my church leaders advocated for me to take a sabbatical, which I hadn’t even considered for myself,” Bradford recalled. “He educated our church leadership team on the importance of giving me an extended period of rest. Then, he announced the sabbatical plan to the whole congregation on my behalf.”
Shouldering too much alone
Bradford emphasized how detrimental it can be for all shepherding responsibilities to fall on one man’s shoulders alone.
“It’s simply not healthy to have one man shouldering the entire burden or trying to be the sole voice of leadership,” he stated bluntly.
He advocated for following the New Testament model of having multiple elders and deacons sharing the leadership load.
“Even if that’s not the precise structure of your church,” Bradford said, “the general principle is that you need a plurality of leadership. No one person should bear that alone.”
Bradford explained that when other spiritual leaders are not actively involved in the personal shepherding and discipleship of the congregation alongside the pastor, an unhealthy imbalance occurs.
“If your church leaders view themselves merely as a board of directors rather than as shepherds themselves, that’s an unhealthy dynamic that will create major problems for the pastor,” Bradford expounded. “They’ll be focused on making decisions while delegating all the actual shepherding work to him alone.”
Staying or going?
Ultimately, if a pastor is considering whether his present situation is untenable long term, how does he discern if it is time to leave that church?
Bradford provided some insight from his experience: “If over an extended period, you are simply unable to develop a trusting relationship with the leadership team, that could be a sign it’s time to move on.”
As an example, Bradford told the story of a pastor friend of his who was so underpaid, he had to ask for financial help.
“He didn’t even have enough money to cover his utility bills,” Bradford recalled. “When a church fails to properly compensate and provide for their pastor’s basic needs like that, despite his humble lifestyle, it’s a clear indicator that there are deeper issues.”
Bradford also advised listening to one’s spouse as a sign in the discernment process. “If she says, ‘Hey, it’s time to go,’ then it’s time to go.”
Practical support for pastors
Experienced minister Bert Harper, host of Exploring the Word on American Family Radio and director of marriage and family at American Family Association, offered his advice to congregations on how to show visible signs of love to their pastors.
“Give gift cards for dinner out with family, volunteer to watch the kids so pastors and their wives can have a date night, and send encouraging notes to let them know they are prayed for,” Harper recommended. “These are the kinds of small gestures that can go a long way toward helping a pastor and his wife feel supported.”
Harper said the key to supporting a pastor is simple: “Be proactive. Don’t wait until your pastor is worn out. Offer simple words of encouragement, show thoughtfulness over the little things, and understand that your pastor needs time to rest and refresh just like the rest of the church. In my experience, just being remembered and prayed for was a great blessing.”
Looking to Scripture
But in spiritually and physically taxing circumstances, Bradford said that pastors must be nourished by the Word of God they are called to preach: “It’s so valuable when a pastor isn’t just rushing from preparing one sermon to the next. Having extended time to let God’s Word sink in deeply on a personal level, to truly marinate on it – that bears such rich dividends in his own spiritual walk and in his ability to minister to others effectively.”
He concluded, “The Sabbath rest instituted by God provides an essential pattern for pastors to follow. As the Lord modeled, setting apart time for prayer, meditation on Scripture, and being renewed in one’s calling is not optional for those shepherding God’s flock. It is a divine command.”
(Digital Editor's Note: This article was published first in May 2024 print edition of The Stand. Click HERE to receive a six-month complimentary subscription.)
