Fewer Pastors and Churches Take Steps to Help Pastors Stay in Ministry

By Scott McConnell

Certain measures can help pastors maintain a long, fruitful ministry. Unfortunately, fewer pastors and congregations are making those steps a priority.

A recent updated study of evangelical and Black Protestant pastors reveals that fewer pastors and congregations are practicing 8 of 12 preventative actions that have been shown to help pastors remain in the pastorate. Only one practice showed improvement.

The baseline study captured the attrition rate among pastors and measured the well-being and the presence of preventative or restorative measures among pastors. The research revealed 12 preventative measures that appear central to reducing the risk of a pastor leaving the pastorate before retirement age.

The new study, conducted by Lifeway Research and sponsored by Houston’s First Baptist Church and Dr. Richard Dockins, shows that fewer pastors and congregations are making this investment or taking these precautions now than they were in 2015.

6 things pastors can personally address:

1. Courses on interpersonal skills

Pastors who have “taken courses on interpersonal skills” are nearly five times more likely to remain in the pastorate. However, fewer evangelical and Black Protestant pastors have taken such courses today compared to 2015 (67% vs. 72%).

2. Sharing struggles with your spouse

Pastors who openly share their struggles with their spouse each month are five and a half times more likely to remain in the pastorate, but fewer practice this today compared to 2015 (82% vs. 90%).

Pastors who openly share their struggles with their spouse each month are 5 1/2 times more likely to remain in the pastorate, but fewer practice this today compared to 2015, according to Lifeway Research. Click To Tweet

3. Sharing struggles with a Bible study group 

Pastors who openly share their struggles with a Bible study group in their church at least once a month are over three times more likely to remain in the pastorate. Fewer pastors are sharing with a Bible study group in their church today compared to 2015 (23% vs. 33%).

4. Pastor’s marriage 

A one unit increase in the level of agreement (from somewhat agree to strongly agree, for instance) that “my spouse is very satisfied with my marriage today” corresponds with being more than twice as likely to remain in the pastorate. While 96% of pastors agree with this statement, fewer pastors strongly agree today compared to 2015 (71% vs. 82%).

5. Protecting time with family

Fewer pastors strongly agree they protect time with their family today compared to 2015 (61% vs. 68%), according to Lifeway Research. Click To Tweet

A one unit increase in level of agreement that pastors consistently protect time with their families corresponds, on average, to being more than twice as likely to remain in the pastorate. Ninety-four percent of pastors agree with this statement. However, fewer pastors strongly agree they protect time with their family today compared to 2015 (61% vs. 68%). Almost 4 in 10 pastors indicate they could improve in this area.

6. Ministry humility

A one unit increase in the level of agreement that “the church would not have achieved the progress it has without me” corresponds to being nearly three and a half times less likely to remain in pastorate. Thirty-eight percent of pastors agree with this statement, which is not significantly different than 2015.

38% of pastors agree their church would not have achieved the progress it has without them. Those pastors are 3 1/2 times less likely to remain in the pastorate, according to Lifeway Research. Click To Tweet

6 things churches can specifically address:

1. List of counselors for referring people

Pastors in churches that have a list of counselors to refer people to are, on average, four and a half times more likely to remain in the pastorate. Fewer evangelical and Black Protestant churches have such a list of counselors today compared to 2015 (60% vs. 67%). 

2. Plan for sabbaticals

Pastors in churches that have “a plan for the pastor to periodically receive a sabbatical” are, on average, over two and a half times more likely to remain in the pastorate. More pastors have pre-planned sabbaticals today compared to 2015 (32% vs. 29%). This is the only area that saw improvement. However, two-thirds of churches still do not provide their pastor a planned sabbatical.

3. A document communicating expectations of the pastor

Pastors in churches that have “a document that clearly communicates the church’s expectations of the pastor” are, on average, over three times more likely to remain in the pastorate. Seven in 10 pastors have this type of document in place, unchanged from 2015.

4. A process for church discipline

Pastors in churches that have “a process for church discipline” are, on average, over four times more likely to remain in the pastorate. Fewer churches have a process for church discipline in place today compared to 2015 (77% vs. 84%).

Fewer churches have a process for church discipline in place today compared to 2015 (77% vs. 84%), according to Lifeway Research. Click To Tweet

5. Limit unrealistic expectations of the pastor

A one unit increase in a pastor’s level of agreement (from somewhat agree to strongly agree, for instance) that “my church has unrealistic expectations of me” corresponds, on average, to being nearly twice as likely to leave the pastorate. Twenty-three percent of pastors agree with this statement, not significantly different than 2015.

6. Regularly encourage the pastor’s family

A one unit increase in level of agreement that “my congregation regularly provides my family with genuine encouragement” corresponds, on average, to being twice as likely to remain in the pastorate. Nine in 10 pastors agree with this statement, but fewer pastors strongly agree today compared to 2015 (54% vs. 60%). This reveals that there is room for improvement for almost half of congregations when it comes to encouraging the pastor’s family regularly.

Fewer pastors strongly agree their congregation regularly provides their family with genuine encouragement today compared to 2015 (54% vs. 60%). Click To Tweet

When ministry seems overwhelming, it can be hard for a pastor to envision staying in this role for the long haul. But there are practical, doable things that pastors and congregations can do to help pastors live out their calling.