More than 1,700 pastors leave the ministry every month.
This staggering number includes some of the brightest, most inspiring pastors in the country. To prevent the continued flight of our pastors, we need to understand the cause of the problem. Though every situation is unique, the reasons pastors leave are often similar.
Here are 10 common reasons pastors quit too soon.




1.Discouragement.
Fifty percentof pastors report feeling sodiscouragedthey would leave the ministry if they could
When you hear criticism and look out to see empty pews,



2.Failure.
Seventy percentof pastorssay they have alower self-image nowthan when they started.
Many pastors have difficulty recognizing success. They compare themselves to other pastors and other ministries.


3.Loneliness.
Seventy percentof pastorsdo not have someone they consider a close friend.
With so many people looking to pastors for guidance, it can be difficult for pastors to let their guards down. They don’t want to come across as less than perfect


4.Moral Failure.
Thirty-three percentof pastorsconfess having been involved in inappropriate sexual behavior.
The moral failures of pastors are magnified more than the average person

5.Financial Pressure.
Seventy percentof 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


. Anger.
Each year,4,000new churches begin and7,000churches 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?”


7.Burnout.
Ninety percentof pastors report working between55to75hours 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


8.Physical Health.
Seventy-five percentof pastorsreport a significantstress-relatedcrisis at least once in their ministry.
Many pastors overwork themselves and simply do not care for their bodies. When you’re busy, it’s easy to eat poorly

9.Marriage/Family Problems.
Eighty percentof pastorsbelieve pastoral ministry hasnegativelyaffected their families

10.Too Busy/Driven.
Ninety percentof pastorsfeel they are inadequately trained to cope with the ministry demands.
A lot of pastors simply are not working efficiently. They are not protecting their calendars or giving themselves the space they need. They haven’t learned how to say “no.” Being busy is not always being productive