A recent study by Lifeway Research sheds new light on the struggles pastors face and the reasons many ultimately leave the ministry. The report, released earlier this month, examined former pastors from four Protestant denominations, offering an in-depth look at the pressures, conflicts, and personal challenges that push clergy away from pastoral leadership.
The study revealed that one of the leading causes of pastoral departure is conflict within the church. Nearly one in five respondents (18%) said disputes in their congregation played a central role in their decision to leave. Another 16% pointed to burnout—a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that many pastors experience as they carry the burdens of ministry. Together, those two categories accounted for about one-third of pastors who resigned. A 2024 Associated Press survey found that more than 40% of clergy have seriously considered leaving their congregations since 2020, and over half have thought about quitting ministry entirely—pointing to burnout from collective trauma, shrinking attendance, and resistance to change as key reasons.
Despite leaving the pastorate, many former pastors did not leave ministry altogether. Lifeway reported that 53% of respondents continued to serve in other ministry-related roles, though not as senior pastors. This suggests that while the pressures of leading a congregation can be overwhelming, many still feel called to Christian service in other capacities.
