There is a growing sense of discontent.
A recent investigation by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research has brought to light a disconcerting pattern among American pastors, revealing that more than half of them have seriously contemplated stepping away from pastoral ministry since the year 2020. This research, an integral part of the expansive initiative named “Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations,” involved surveying 1,700 religious leaders in the autumn of 2023. The results, titled “I’m Exhausted All the Time — Exploring the Factors Contributing to Growing Clergy Discontentment,” disclosed that 53% of religious leaders have contemplated leaving pastoral ministry, marking a significant increase from the 37% reported in 2021.
Conducted under the guidance of Scott Thumma, a distinguished professor of Sociology of Religion, the study shed light on the manifold challenges faced by pastors. It underscored that 44% of pastors had seriously considered departing from their congregations, surpassing the 21% reported in 2021. Interestingly, some leaders were contemplating both leaving their current congregation and abandoning the ministry altogether, while others were mulling over only one of these options. The contributing factors to this discontent encompassed the struggles in adapting to the evolving religious landscape, which was hastened by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.
Presenting a composite image of the typical clergyperson, the research portrayed them as a 59-year-old leader with seven years of service, predominantly white and male. The majority (75%) were engaged in full-time employment, and 60% served solo rather than as part of a leadership team. Despite taking a day off during the week, only a few pastors had experienced a sabbatical in the last decade.
The study delved into the repercussions of the post-pandemic religious landscape, elucidating a persistent decline in in-person attendance and church membership numbers over the decades. It emphasized that the resistance of congregations to adapt further compounded the challenges faced by pastors, resulting in diminished morale and uncertainty about the future.
Various factors influenced pastors’ contemplation of leaving, including conflicts within congregations, strained relationships with members, resistance to change, and declining attendances. For those considering exiting ministry altogether, a complex interplay of demographic elements such as age, sex, and race contributed to their decision. In essence, the study provides profound insights into the intricate reasons behind pastoral discontent, offering a holistic perspective on the multifaceted challenges confronting clergy in the midst of a swiftly evolving religious landscape.