Does this affect their sermons?
According to a recent Lifeway Research survey, most Protestant clergy in the United States have spent ten years or less in non-ministry roles before becoming pastors. The survey, conducted from August 29 to September 20, 2023, and involving 1,004 Protestant pastors, has a margin of error of ±3.2% at a 95% confidence level.
The findings indicate that 58% of respondents had worked in secular jobs for ten years or less before entering pastoral roles. This group includes 34% who had only five years or fewer of such experience and 13% who had less than a year. In contrast, 42% reported having more than ten years of non-ministry work experience, with 7% having worked 26-30 years and 8% over 30 years.
Scott McConnell, the executive director of Lifeway Research, noted that many pastors begin their ministry careers in their early 30s, though their journey can start at various ages. He added that experience in non-ministry jobs can enhance pastors’ ability to connect with their congregations and build relationships outside the church.
The survey also revealed differences based on ethnicity. White pastors were more likely than Black pastors to have worked in non-ministry roles for five years or fewer (23% versus 6%).
Among senior pastors, the average was 1.7 previous ministry positions before their current role. Approximately 70% of these senior pastors started their ministry careers in other church roles. Notably, 44% had served as youth or student ministers, while 42% had been assistant or associate pastors before becoming senior pastors.
The survey further found that 60% of senior pastors had worked in non-ministry roles for ten years or fewer. McConnell emphasized that skills such as leadership, teaching, and pastoral care are developed through various experiences, including those outside the church.
Pastors from the Lutheran and Restorationist movements were more likely to have worked outside the church for less than a year (20%), compared to 11% of Baptist pastors and 7% of non-denominational pastors.
This report arrives at a time when other studies, like the one from the Barna Group in March 2023, have shown a decline in clergy satisfaction. The Barna study revealed that only 52% of pastors were “very satisfied” with their vocation, a significant drop from 72% in 2015. Additionally, 66% of pastors under 45 and 51% of older pastors reported periods of significant doubt about their calling.