Why Pastors are Leaving the Church
Many of America's pastors are deflated.
A troubling number of pastors are leaving the ministry, and many that stay feel they are not making a significant difference. The data on pastors leaving the ministry is varied (numbers as high as 1,200 per month have been reported).
- 35% of pastors battle depression or fear of inadequacy
- 70% of pastors do not feel they have someone they consider to be a close friend
- 27% of pastors say they don't have anyone they can turn to in a crisis situation
Reasons for leaving include:
- fear of failure
- feeling unappreciated
- discouraged hearts, burnout
- feeling alone and overwhelmed
- lack of support, not knowing where to turn for help
- battling a fear of inadequacy
- unrealistic expectations
- frantic schedules
- lack of family time and financial security
- excessive stress, often resulting in health issues
- pressures causing them to question their calling
- dealing with conflict within the church
- believing that the ministry has had a negative effect on their family
- feeling like their profession is no longer held in high esteem by the general public
The Solution
Healthy pastors build healthy churches.
Our solution is to pick the pastor up, dust them off, and set them back on the path to emotional and spiritual health. We accomplish this by recruiting experienced pastors to provide an atmosphere of healing and hope.
Our encouragement team members listen with a caring ear and a loving heart. They reassure pastors that they have God's blessing to minister in their church and remind them of the gifts and talents God has given them to reach their community. They maintain consistent follow-up to strengthen these wonderful leaders.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)