10 Real Reasons Pastors Quit Too Soon

by Tim Peters

More than 1,700 pastors leave the ministry every month. To prevent the continued flight of our pastors, we need to understand the cause of the problem.

4. Moral Failure.

Thirty-three percent of pastors confess having involved in inappropriate sexual behavior.

The moral failures of pastors are magnified more than the average person. The key to avoiding moral failures is creating a system of risk prevention. When you meet with someone of the opposite sex: let your spouse know, never meet behind closed doors and do not discuss relationship issues. For pornography, software is available to monitor or block Web activity.

5. Financial Pressure.

Seventy percent of pastors feel grossly underpaid.

Most ministries are nonprofits so pastors are not compensated well. When you can’t fully provide the life you want for your family, it makes it hard to continue. Then you look at friends not in the ministry with big houses and nice cars. Pastors can relieve the pressure with better financial planning. Try following the 80-10-10 rule—10 percent to church, 10 percent to savings and 80 percent to live off.

6. Anger.

Each year, 4,000 new churches begin and 7,000 churches close.

When things aren’t going well, pastors become angry—with others, themselves or God. Thoughts fall along these lines: “I did everything you told me. I went to seminary. I started a ministry. Why are you not doing what you said?” The worst thing about anger is it spreads like wild fire. The medicine for anger is forgiveness. We have to forgive so we can move forward.

7. Burnout.

Ninety percent of the pastors report working between 55 to 75 hours per week.

Pastors are put on a treadmill. They go from the ministry to a hospital visit to writing a sermon to meeting with congregation members. They just keep running until there’s no passion or energy left. They become exhausted and depleted. Vacations and sabbaticals can provide perspective. Another key is empowering other leaders so all the weight is not on the pastor’s shoulders.

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Tim is creator of Sayge and a ten year church communications veteran. Sayge is an intentional, all-in-one, church marketing and communications monthly training resource that is designed to help Church Leaders master the basics of church marketing and communications.

More from Tim Peters or visit Tim at timpeters.org/